VERTEBRA. 31 



atlas are less inclined than in the Horse, and have no vertebral foramina ; the posterior facets 

 for articulation with the axis, are nearly flat and join each other. The axis has a semi-cylindri- 

 cal, not a conical, odontoid process, which is so concave on its upper t^urface that it looks like 

 a groove. Its spinous process is not so thick as in the Horse, and is not bitid posteriorly. 



In the Jive succeeding vertebras, a rugged continuous lamina unites the anterior articular 

 processes to the posterior. The spinous process inclines forward, and is flattened transversely 

 at its summit, which is sometimes bifid ; it progressively increases in height from the third to 

 the fifth vertebra. 



In the sixth, the transverse processes have only two prolongations — a superior and inferior; 

 the latter, large and flattened on both sides, is bent abruptly downwards. The spinous process 

 has already attained the height of 1| to 2 inches in this vertebra, and is flattened laterally. 



The seventh well deserves the name of prominens, its spinous process being no less than 

 from 4 to 4f inches (see Figs. 6 and 7). 



B. Camel.— In the Camel, the cervical vertebrae are longer and thinner than in the other 

 large domestic animals. Altogether, they form oue-third of the total length of the spine. 

 Their vertebral lamiiise are deeply notched before and behind, which allows them to easily 

 enter tlie spinal canal. Their articular processes are convex, and from the second to the sixth 

 inclusively, the vertebral foramen is small and deeply placed in the laminae. 



The atlas is distinguished from that of the Horse and Ox by the absence of the tubercle on 

 the inferior face of the body, and the shortness of the transverse processes, of which the border 

 is thin and sharp. The vertebral foramen makes a somewhat long course in the transverse 

 process of this vertebra, and opens at the bottom of the excavation in which the anterior inter- 

 vertebral foramina meet — the latter being double. 



The axis is very long and constricted in its middle ; the inferior crest is only slightly 

 salient ; there are ilouble invertebral foramina, the largest of which is divided by a bony 

 septum ; the odontoid process is as in the Ox. The other cervical vertebrae gradually diminish 

 in size and increase in thickness from before to behind. 



In the third, fourth, and fifth, the transverse processes are bi-tuberculated. 



In the sixth, the transverse process is a wide and thick plate, inclining downwards. 



The seventh is recognized by its long spinous process and the smallness of its transverse 

 process, which has a larger and more obvious vertebral foramen than the other vertebras 

 (see Fig. 8). 



C. Pig. — Of all the domesticated animals, this has the shortest, the widest, the most 

 tuberous, and consequently tlie strongett cervical vertebrae. The body of these bones has no 

 crest on the inferior face ; the head, but little detached, is scarcely round, and looks as if driven 

 back on itself; consequently, tiie posterior cavity is not deep. The vertebral laminae are very 

 narrow, and scarcely extend from one part of the vertebra to the other in the superior portion, 

 so that the spinal canal appears at this point to be incomplete. 



In the atlas, the transverse processes are less inclined than in Ruminants ; the vertebral 

 foramen is not constant, and when it exists, opens on one side, under the transverse process, 

 and on the other, on its posterior margin, after pursuing a certain tiack in the substance of 

 the bone. 



The odontoid process of the axis is constricted at its base. This verte*bra is distinguished 

 by its high and thin spinous process inclining slightly back, by its transverse processes being 

 but slightly prominent, and perforated by an enormous vertebral foramen. 



In the four succeeding vertebrae, the spinous process terminates in a blunt point, and inclines 

 forward ; slightly salient in the first, it gradually rises in the others. The transverse processes 

 form two prolongations : one, the superior, is tuberous, and is joined to the anterior articular 

 process by a plate of bone, which is pierced by a foramen ; the other, the inferior, flattened on 

 both sides, bent downwards, and large, as it belongs to a posterior vertebra, transforms the 

 inferior face of these vertebral bodies into a large groove. The seventh has a spinous process 

 as long as those of the dorsal region. A peiforated bony plate, as in the preceding vertebrae, 

 unites the anterior articular process to the single tubercle composing the transverse process; 

 the latter is continued back nearly to the posterior notch by a second plate, also perforated 

 with a foramen (see Fig. 3). 



D. Dog and Cat. — In these animals, the cervical vertebrae are long and thick, and much 

 resemble those of Solipeils. Nevertheless, besides their smaller volume, they are distinguished : 

 1. By the disposition of their corresponding articular surfaces ; the anteiior, or head, is nearly 

 flat, and is even slightly excavated in its centre ; the posterior, or cavity, is l.ut little hollowed 

 to receive the head of the next vertebra; 2. By the width of the vertebral laminae, which 

 overlap one another; 3. By the height of their spinous processes, which increases as the 

 vertebrae extend back ; 4. By the great extent of the anterior and posterior articular processes, 



