The =maxilla= is short, but very high posteriorly. The facial crest is
absent. The infraorbital foramen is over the alveolus for the third
premolar. The =frontal process= fits into a deep notch between the nasal
and orbital parts of the frontal bone, and the middle part of the
posterior border lies along the orbital margin. There are more or less
pronounced ridges, juga alveolaria, over the canine and molar teeth. The
zygomatic process is short and thin; it is completely overlapped
outwardly by the malar, and is perforated by a number of foramina
(Foramina alveolaria). A maxillary tuberosity is not present in the
adult, but there is a pointed projection, the pterygoid process, behind
the last alveolus. The internal surface bears a short turbinal crest on
its anterior part, behind which it is deeply concave and forms the outer
wall of the maxillary sinus. The palatine process is short, wide behind,
and moderately arched from side to side. The anterior palatine foramen
is situated at or close to the transverse palatine suture about midway
between the median suture and the alveolar border. The palatine groove
is distinct. The large alveolus for the canine tooth is completed by the
premaxilla. The small alveolus for the first premolar is separated from
the preceding one by a small interval. The next two consist of anterior
and posterior parts for the roots of the teeth. The fourth and fifth are
much larger and are divided into three parts. The last is small and
consists of three divisions. The infraorbital canal is short.
The body of the =premaxilla= is compressed dorso-ventrally, and contains
three alveoli for the incisor teeth, which increase in size from first
to third; it also completes the inner wall of the large alveolus for the
canine tooth. The foramen incisivum is very small except in large
skulls. The interalveolar border is wide and very short. The nasal
process is wide at its origin and tapers to a sharp point behind; the
anterior part curves upward, backward, and a little inward, and forms
the lateral margin of the osseous nasal aperture; the posterior part
extends backward a long distance between the nasal bone and the maxilla.
The palatine process turns upward and outward, forming with its fellow a
wide groove for the septal cartilage; the posterior end is pointed and
fits into a notch between the palatine processes of the maxillæ, and
supports the end of the vomer. The palatine fissure is short but wide.
The horizontal part of the =palate bones= is extensive, forming about
one-third of the hard palate. It presents a variable number of lesser
palatine foramina. There is usually a pointed posterior nasal spine at
the end of the median suture. The palatine canal is sometimes formed
entirely in this bone. The perpendicular part is even more extensive.
Its external surface is chiefly free and forms most of the inner wall of
the large pterygo-palatine fossa. The maxillary foramen is situated in a
deep recess between this bone and the zygomatic process of the maxilla.
Just above it there is commonly another foramen which opens into the
nasal cavity. The posterior palatine and sphenopalatine foramina are
situated further back and a little lower; the former is immediately
below the latter. A horizontal plate extends from the inner surface,
meets that of the opposite bone and completes the lamina transversalis
spoken of in the description of the ethmoid bone. There is no palatine
sinus.
The =pterygoid bones= are very wide and short. They form a considerable
part of the lateral boundaries of the posterior nares. The lower and
posterior holders are free and at their angle of junction there is a
variable hamulus.
The =nasal bones= are (in most breeds) long and wider in front than
behind. The external surface is variably concave in its length and is
inclined toward the median suture so as to form a central groove. The
inner borders turn downward and form an internal nasal crest which
becomes very prominent behind. The posterior parts fit into a notch
formed by the frontal bones. The anterior ends form an almost
semicircular nasal notch.
The =lacrimal bone= is very small. The facial part extends very little
or not at all beyond the orbital margin. The orbital surface is small
and triangular, and presents the entrance to the lacrimal canal.
[Illustration: