38 THE BONES. 



coDcave on the anterior border, convex on the posterior, and incline slightly downward, with 

 the exception of the two first, which remain nearly horizontal. They increase in length from 

 the/r«< to the fourth vertebra ; in the latter and the fifth, they are nearly of the same dimensions ; 

 in the last they suddenly become shorter. Their width gradually decreases from before to beliind. 

 In the fifth and sixth vertebrae, these processes have no articular facets between them and the 

 sacrum, these being only met with in Solipedd. The articular processes are prominent, and 

 further removed from the median line as they belong to posterior vertebrae. 

 « 



Fig. 23. 



A LUMBAR VERTEBRA OF THE HORSE AND ASS. 



A, Lumbar vertebra of the Horse {anterior face). 1, Head ; 2, 2, transverse processes ; 

 3. spinous process ; 4, 4, articular tubercles. 



B, Lumbar vertebra of the Ass {anterior face). Same description as for the horse. 



In the Goat the transverse processes are more inclined downwards. 



In the Sheep, on the contrary, the processes of the six or seven vertebrae ascend towards 

 their extremities. 



B. Camel. — Apart from number, which is seven, the lumbar vertebrae of this animal offer 

 nearly the same features as those of the Ox. 



C. Pig.— The lumbar vertebrae of the Pig greatly resemble those of ruminant animals. It 

 commonly happ( ns that seven are met with ; but in this case the supplementary vertebra is 

 generally a sacral one. It is not denied, however, that seven lumbar vertebrae may exist in the 

 Pig, along with the normal number of sacral vertebrae. 



D. Dog and Cat.— In the Dog and Cat, the lumbar vertebrae, seven in number, are 

 remarkable for their strength, due to their length, thickness, and the development of the 

 eminences for insertion. The spinous process is low, and becomes acute in the last vertebra. 



