PELVIC GIRDLE AND HIND-LIMB. 331 



process. The ischium corresponds to the 

 coracoid in the shoulder-girdle. 



iii. The pubes is the smallest bone of the three. 

 Its acetabular portion ossifies separately in 

 the rabbit, as a small cotyloid bone, com- 

 pleting the margin of the acetabulum below. 

 The pubes unites along its ventral border 

 with its fellow of the opposite side to form 

 the anterior part of the symphysis, the 

 hinder portion of which is formed by the 

 ischium ; the line of union between these 

 two bones is visible only in the skeletons of 

 very young rabbits. 



D. The Hind-limb. 



The hind-limb is much larger than the fore-limb, and, 

 like this, is divisible into four main portions. 



In the hind-limb the departure from the primitive condi- 

 tion is much less marked than in the fore-limb. The whole 

 limb has rotated forwards through about a right angle, so that 

 the preaxial border is directed inwards, and the postaxial 

 outwards ; the original dorsal surface being turned forwards, 

 and the ventral surface backwards. 



1. The thigh, like the arm, contains a single bone, the 

 femur. Certain sesamoid bones in connection with 

 the knee-joint may be considered with it. 



i. The femur is an elongated bone, consisting of 

 a cylindrical shaft and two enlarged ex- 

 tremities. 



The proximal end bears on its inner or 

 preaxial side the prominent rounded head, 

 which articulates with the acetabulum to 

 form the hip-joint. To the outer side of the 

 head, and forming the end of the bone, is a 

 large rough process, the great trochanter : 

 between this and the head, on the posterior 



