82 



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 wliicli are annexed 

 posteriorly to this artipular surface, instead of being plane or gently undulated, as in tbe 

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

 cesses are carried directly outwards and a little backwai<i ; the lip which borders each 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 <'ylinilrifai, narrow at its base, and bent a little upwards ; 

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

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

 never converted into foramina. 



The third cervical vertebra is the largest : and the succeediiuj ones grailually diminish in 

 thickness to the last, contrary to wliat occurs in the otlier sjiecies. The ftereuth does not show 

 the spinous process so developed as in Runjinants and Paciiydt-rms (see Fi<rs. 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. Tlius, in the Rabbit they 

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

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

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

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



Fig. 18. 



2. Dorsal Vertebra (Fig. 18). 



General Characters. — 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 

 spinous process is very high, is compressed on 

 both sides, inclines backwards, and its summit 

 is terminated by a tubercle. The tratisverse 

 processes are uuitubercular, and directed obliquely 

 outwards and upwards ; on their external aspect 

 they have a diarthrodial plane facet which corre- 

 sponds to the tuberosity (or tuherndum) 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 

 jmsterior notches are deep, and sometimes con- 

 verted into foramina. 



Specific Characters. — None of the eigh- 

 teen dorsal vertebric 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 



TYPE OF 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, articuhir 

 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. 



