764 



THE THEORY OF TRANSFORMATIONS 



[CH. 



system, as is shown in the figure. In this case I have attempted 

 to produce the network beyond the region which is actually 

 required to include the diagram of the tiorse's skull, in order to 

 show better the form of the general transformation, with a part 

 only of which we have actually to deal. 



It is at first sight not a little surprising to find that we can pass, 

 by a cognate and even simpler transformation, from our Peris- 

 sodactyle skulls to that of the rabbit; but the fact that we can 



Fig. 399. Horse's skull. 



Fig. 400. Rabbit's skull. 



easily do so is a simple illustration of the undoubted affinity 

 which exists between the Rodentia, especially the family of the 

 Leporidae, and the more primitive Ungulates. For my part, I 

 would go further; for I think there is strong reason to believe 

 that the Perissodactyles are more closely related to the Leporidae 

 than the former are to the other Ungulates, or than the Leporidae 

 are to the rest of the Rodentia. Be that as it may, it is obvious 

 from Fig. 400 that the rabbit's skull conforms to a system of 



