136 DOMESTIC RABBITS. Chap. IV. 



and the entire length of the skull. The sknll has thus 

 acquired its characteristic narrowness. From unknown causes 

 the supra-orbital process of the frontal bones and the free 

 end of the malar bones have increased in breadth ; and in 

 the larger breeds the occipital foramen is generally much 

 less deeply notched than in wild rabbits. Certain parts of 

 the scapula and the terminal sternal bones have become 

 highly variable in shape. The ears have been increased 

 enormously in length and breadth through continued selec- 

 tion ; their weight, conjoined probably with the disuse of 

 their muscles, has caused them to lop downwards ; and this 

 has affected the position and form of the bony auditory 

 meatus ; and this again, by correlation, the position in a 

 slight degree of almost every bone in the upper part of the 

 skull, and even the position of the condyles of the lower 

 jaw. 



