PART II. 
OSTEOLOGY OF] THE, RABBIT: 
For a practical study of the rabbit’s skeleton, a thoroughly 
cleaned, but otherwise rough, unmounted skeleton will be found 
most convenient. The skull should be divided with a fine saw at a 
little to one side of the median plane, or a second skull may be 
provided for this purpose (cf. Fig. 62). The most useful specimens 
for reference are: (1) a well-mounted skeleton of the adult animal, 
showing the-natural relations of the bones; and (2) a rough skeleton 
of a young animal of from one to five weeks, showing the primary 
composition of cartilage bones. For the special study of the skull 
(pp. 140-159) a disarticulated specimen may be employed, but the 
majority of the features may be made out in the intact or divided 
skulls. The general account of the skull as given below will be 
found to cover most of the osteological points noted in the dissection. 
DIVISIONS OF THE SKELETON. 
The skeleton is divisible into two main portions, namely, the 
axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The former 
comprises the vertebral column, the ribs, the sternum, and the 
skeleton of the head; the latter, the supports of the anterior and 
posterior limbs, and the associated pectoral and pelvic girdles. 
THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN. 
The vertebral column (columna vertebralis) is formed of a 
linear series of segments, the vertebrae. In accordance with its 
function as a general support of the body, and also its relations with 
the nervous system and the spinal musculature, the vertebrae, with 
minor exceptions, are constructed on the same plan. Those of 
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