400 



CHORD ATA, 



The front-limb of the rabbit shows a primitive condition 

 by the presence of a distinct centrale in the wrist, but the 

 hind-limb is specialised in the loss of fibula and first digit. 

 The third trochanter, however, appears to be an archaic 

 character. 



Fig. 291. 



-Dorsal View of Left Pes of the Rabbit. 

 (Slightly magnified.) 



[Ad nat.) 



Astragalus. 

 Calcaneum. 



Development. — The rabbit is like nearly all mammals, viviparous. 

 Its period of gestation is thirty days and several young are produced at 

 a birth. The placenta is discoidal and deciduate. (For details of 

 mammalian development see Chapter XXVI. ) 



