304 THE THIGH AND LEG [chap. 



ment of the proximal extremity, but the two are never united 

 together by bone. 



Fig. 



-Anterior aspect of lower end of the right tibia and fibula of Red Deer 

 (Cervus elaph?{s), %. t tibia ; f fibula. 



In the Tragulina, the fibula is long and slender, and com- 

 plete, but its lower end is indistinguishably blended with 

 the tibia. 



The patella is well ossified, and usually somewhat trian- 

 gular, with the broad end upwards ; but fabellae are not 

 commonly developed in the Ungulata. 



In the Hyrax there is a slight ridge on the femur in the 

 place of a third trochanter. The fibula is complete, thickest 

 at its upper end, where it generally ankyloses with the tibia. 



The femur of the Elephant is long and very straight ; the 

 axis of the head is more in a line with that of the shaft than 

 usual. The great trochanter is not much developed, and 

 the small trochanter is nearly obsolete. The fibula is com- 

 plete, distinct, and slender, though considerably enlarged at 

 the lower end. 



In the Cetacea, certain small nodular bones or cartilages 

 attached by fibrous tissue to the outer side of the pelvic 

 bone in some of the Whalebone Whales, are commonly 

 regarded as rudimentary and functionless representatives 



