II 



THE SKELETON 



For descriptive purposes the skeleton may be 

 divided into (1) the axial skeleton and (2) the 

 skeleton of the limbs. 



The axial skeleton includes the skull and 

 vertebral column with the ribs and sternum ; 

 while the skeleton of the limbs includes bones 

 which have been characteristically modified 

 in conformity with peculiar physiological re- 

 quirements related to locomotion. 



The Vertebral Column 



The vertebral column, or back-bone, of 

 the fowl is remarkable for several reasons. 

 That part of it which forms the skeleton of the 

 neck is long and very freely movable ; whereas 

 the rest of it is rigid owing to the extensive 

 fusion which takes place between the bones 

 composing it. Some of the thoracic vertebrae 



