32 THE BONES. 



which are united by means of a continuous and very salient bony plate, that considerably 

 augments the transversal diameter of each vertebra. 



In the atlas, the articular surface for the odontoid pivot is confounded in front with the 

 cavities which correspond to the occipital condyles. The two facets which are annexed 

 posteriorly to this articular surface, instead of being plane or gently undulated, as in the 

 other domesticated animals, are transformed into real glenoid cavities. The triinsverse pro- 

 cesses are carried directly outwards and a little backvvanl ; the lip wljicli borders eacli is 

 slightly raised ; of the two foramina wiiich replace the anterior notch, one only exists, and 

 this penetrates to the interior of the spinal canal ; the other is merely a simple notch. 



In the axis, the odontoid process is cylindrical, narrow at its base, and bent a little upwards ; 

 the lateral facets of this eminence represents true condyles. The spinous process is very thin 

 and undivided, and is curved forward above the laminae of the atlas. The anterior notches are 

 never converted into foramina. 



The third cervical vertebra is the largest : and the succeeding ones gradually diminish in 

 thickness to the last, contrary to what occurs in the other species. The seventh does not show 

 the spinous process so developed as in Ruminants and Pachyderms (see Figs. 3, 4, 7). 



E. Rabbit. — The cervical vertebrae in this animal somewhat resemble those in the Cat, 

 though they differ in certain general and particular characters. Thus, in the Rabbit they 

 become larger as they proceed backward ; the atlas has its transverse processes horizontal, and 

 they are narrow at their oriain ; the axis has a bifid tubercle at the posterior extremity of its 

 spinous process, and a notch below it ; the succeeding vertebrae are thin ; the fourth, fifth, and 

 sixth are trifid in their transverse processes ; and the seventh has a short spinous process. 



2. DoESAL Vertebe^ (Fig. 18). 



Geneeal Chaeacters. — In the dorsal vertebrae the body is very short, and 

 in front has a large slightly projecting head ; behind, it has a shallow cavity. 

 Laterally, these vertebrae present, at the base of 

 the transverse processes, four concave articular 

 Jacets, the two anterior of which are situated near 

 the head, while the posterior two are hollowed out 

 of the border of the articular cavity of the body. 

 Each of these facets is joined to an analogous 

 facet on the neighbouring vertebra to form a 

 small excavation, into which is received the head 

 (or capitulum) of the corresponding rib. The 

 spijious process is very high, is compressed on 

 both sides, inclines backwards, and its summit 

 is terminated by a tubercle. The transverse 

 processes are unitubercular, and directed obliquely 

 outwards and upwards ; on their external aspect 

 they have a diarthrodial plane facet which corre- 

 sponds to the tuberosity (or tuberculum) of the 

 rib (and may therefore be named the tubercular 

 transverse process). The articular processes are 

 narrow, and constitute simple unrelieved facets 

 cut on the base of the spinous process. The 

 posterior notches are deep, and sometimes con- 

 verted into foramina. 



Specific Charactees. — None of the eigh- 

 teen dorsal vertebrae differ much from the type 

 just described ; and it is difficult to establish 

 special characters for each. It is, nevertheless 

 possible to assign to a dorsal vertebra, approximately, the rank it should occupy, 

 in accepting the following facts as a guide : 1. The vertical diameter of the 



ttpe op a dorsal vertebra (the 

 fourth). 



1, Body, 2, 2, articular facets for the 

 head of the rib; 3, articular facet for 

 tuberosity of the rib; 4, articular 

 processes ; 5, spinal foramen ; 6, 

 tuberous base of spinous process; 



7, posterior articular face of body ; 



8, 8, transverse processes ; 9, 

 superior spinous process ; 10, an- 

 terior articulation of body. 



