351 



Subclass PLACENTALIA. 



Order RODENTIA. 



Family Leporida (Hares, Rabbits, Pikas). 

 Genus Lepus. 



Dental formula : t !, p ?, m ^=28. 



1914. The skeleton of a Hare (Lepm timidus, fcem.). 



v , 



The vertebral formula is: 7 cervical, 12 dorsal, 7 lumbar, 3 sacral, 16 caudal. TV 

 seventh cervical is perforated, like the rest, by the vertebral arteries. TLe spine di* ihe teiitL 

 dorsal is vertical, and the spines of the other trunk-vertebrae converge towards it. The 

 anapophyses begin to be developed on the eighth, and the metapophyses on the ninth dorsal. 

 The latter progressively increase and are continued throughout the lumbar region, where they 

 are of great length. The anapophyses assume the form of a ridge in the last dorsal and lum- 

 bar vertebrae, and subside in the penultimate lumbar. The diapophyses of the lumbar ver- 

 tebrae are lengthened by coalesced pleurapophyses, and incline obliquely forwards and down- 

 wards. The hypapophyses are of remarkable length in the first three lumbar vertebrae. 

 Seven pairs of ribs directly join the sternum, which consists of six bones. There are no cla- 

 vicles. The supraspinal space is less deep and extensive than the infraspinal one : the spine 

 itself is continued into an acromion at an unusual distance from the glenoid cavity, and a long 

 retroverted process is given off near the end of the acromion. The coracoid is a compressed 

 introverted process. The humerus is perforated between the condyles, not above the inner 

 condyle. The radius and ulna are closely united together : the tibia and fibula have coa- 

 lesced. In the fore-foot the first or innermost digit is short, but with the normal number of 

 phalanges : the corresponding digit is not developed hi the hind-foot. 



Purchased. 



1915. The skeleton of a Hare (Lepus timidus, mas). 



The vertebral formula corresponds with that of the preceding skeleton : some of the caudal 

 vertebrae are wanting. The transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra are notched, 

 not perforated. The anapophyses of the lumbar vertebrae are more prolonged behind. The 

 pelvis is narrower than in the female. In this skeleton are preserved not only the patellae, 

 but the fabellae, which are three in number behind the knee-joint ; one behind the inner 

 condyle, one behind the outer condyle, and the third wedged between the latter condyle and 

 the fibula. 



Purchased. 



975489 



