268 ANATOMY OF THE RABBIT. 
A second muscle, the semispinalis cervicis, is covered 
by the foregoing one. It arises from the articular processes 
of the posterior cervical and first thoracic vertebrae, and is 
inserted on the spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae, 
chiefly on that of the epistropheus. 
(c) The intertransversarii are short muscles connecting the 
lateral portions of the vertebrae. They are distinguishable 
in part by their darker coloration. They increase in size 
backwards, being most conspicuous in the lumbar region, 
where they form thick muscular pads interposed between 
the mamillary and accessory processes. The last slip is 
attached to the crest of the ilium. 
2. The following muscles constitute an occipital group, com- 
posed of short muscles arising from the atlas and axis and inserted 
on the atlas and the occipital portion of the skull. 
(a) The rectus capitis posterior superficialis. Origin: 
Spinous process of the epistropheus. Insertion: External 
occipital protuberance. 
(b) The obliquus capitis superior. Origin: Transverse 
process of the atlas. Insertion: Lateral surface of the 
occipital protuberance. 
The foregoing muscles should be divided. 
(c) The rectus capitis posterior minor. Origin: Posterior 
tubercle of the atlas. Insertion: External occipital pro- 
tuberance. 
(d) The rectus capitis posterior major. Origin: Spinous 
process of the epistropheus. Insertion: Laterally on 
the supraoccipital bone. 
(e) The obliquus capitis inferior. Origin: Spinous process 
of the epistropheus. Insertion: Dorsal surface of the 
transverse process of the atlas. 
(f) The rectus capitis lateralis. Origin: In common with the 
obliquus capitis superior, which covers it. Insertion: Base 
of the jugular process of the occipital. 
3. Muscles of the lateral and ventral surfaces of the neck: 
(a) The scalenus anterior. Origin: Transverse processes of 
the four posterior cervical vertebrae. Insertion: First rib. 
