CARNIVORA. 153 



OMNIVORA. 



AXIAL SKELETON. 



In tlie hog tlie ligamentum nuchce can scarcely be said to exist ; a fibrons 

 cord from the dorsal spines to tbe occiput represents it. There is only one 

 synovial capsule in the occipito-atloid joint, and there is a transverse odontoid 

 ligament which passes over the odontoid process, and keeps it down on the 

 floor of the atloid ring. The sternal ribs articulate disl^lly like those of the 

 ox, and the remarks on the sternal articulations of that animal also apply to 

 ■the hog. The temporo-maxillary joint possesses great motion anteriorly and 

 posteriorly, resembling in its structure that of the rabbit, the anterior mastoid 

 process being small, and the temporal articular surface large. The ligaments 

 between the hyoid cornua and cornicula are elastic. 



APPENDICULAR SKELETON. 



The synovial membrane of the shoulder joint is continued into the bicipital 

 groove. In the elbow joint the internal lateral ligament is shorter than the 

 external one. The radius and ulna have been described as anchylosed and 

 also as closely connected by fibrous tissue. Whichever be the more common 

 mode of union, there is no motion between these bones. The four bones 

 of the metacarpus are joined by prolongations of the great carpal liga- 

 ments above, and below by interarticular ligaments. Each metacarpo- 

 phalangeal joint is supplied with an intersesamoid, two lateral, a crucial 

 inferior sesamoid, and an anterior capsular ligament, also with a synovial 

 membrane, and lateral ligaments for the joint itself. The suspensory liga- 

 ment is replaced by the interosseous palmar muscles, and there are small 

 superior interdigital ligaments between the proximal phalanges. A very small 

 osseous nodule is usually found on each of the anterior capsular ligaments of 

 these joints. The external lateral navicular ligaments resemble those of the 

 horse ; the internal ones are wanting. An elastic navicular ligament Like 

 that of the ox is found in the large digits. 



There is no pubio-femoral and onlv one straioht vaiellar ligament. The tibio- 

 fibular articulation consists of an amphiarthrosis superiorly, a diarthrosis 

 inferiorly, and between these an interosseous ligament, stronger below than 

 above. The tarsal articulation resembles iu the main that of the ruminant. 



CARNIVORA. 



AXIAL SKELETON. 



The ligamentum nuchce is represented by a fibrous band which is larger in 

 the dog than in the cat ; in the cervical vertebrae of the former, and in the 

 vertebrae generally of the latter, there are interspinous muscles instead of liga- 

 ments. The occipito-atloid and odontoid ligaments are similar to those of the 

 hog. In the temporo-maxillary joint there is merely ginglymoid motion, an^- 

 the meniscus is very thin. 



