THE SKELETON OF THE POSTERIOR LIMB. 169 
The pubis (os pubis) consists of a basal portion, or body lying 
immediately below the acetabulum, a superior or acetabular 
ramus extending from the body to the symphysis, and an inferior 
or symphyseal ramus extending backward along the symphysis 
to its junction with the ischium. The 
anterior margin of the bone, described 
as the pecten oss. pubis, is thin and 
sharp. Near the symphysis it bears 
a minute elevation, the pubic tuber- 
cle (tuberculum pubicum), and 
laterally a more extensive elevation, 
the iliopectineal eminence (emin- 
entia iliopectinea). The latter is more 
conspicuous in older specimens, where 
it is easily recognizable by its jagged 
outline. Its lateral margin is con- 
tinuous with the iliopectineal line. 
THE FEMUR. 
The femur (Fig. 70) is a some- 
what S-shaped bone, the body being 
very slightly arcuate, while of the two 
extremities, the distal one is bent 
downward, forming the articulation 
of the knee, the proximal one, with 
its various processes, slightly upward 
in association with the pelvis. In 

considering the general form, it will — Fic. 70. Anterior surface of the left 
I al 1 th: : | ' -a] femur: cl. and c.m., lateral and 
xe remembered that in the natura medial condyles; cl.f., neck of femur; 
LENG : ; : cp.f., articular portion (head); e.l., 
sitting posture of the rabbit, the and e.m., lateral and medial epicon- 
ete ° : dyles; f.p., patellar surface; t.mi., 
position of the femur is approximately trochanter minor; t.mj., trochanter 
| Cis é | | 4 Lee f: s3 f | . major, including t.p. and t.t., the first 
norizontal, the convex surface Of tne and third trochanters. 
shaft, which is equivalent to the 
anterior surface in man, being uppermost. 
The proximal extremity of the femur bears an extensive rounded 
portion or head (caput femoris), for articulation with the pelvic 
girdle. This portion is separated from the main part of the 
