THE RABBIT. 248 



2. The infraorbital gland lies just below, and in front 

 of, the eye, partly within the lower border of the orbital 

 space. Its duct descends to open near the duct from the 

 parotid. 



3. The submaxillary gland lies close to its fellow of the 

 opposite side, between the angles of the lower jaw. Its 

 duct extends forward, and opens on the floor of the mouth, 

 about halfway between the base of the tongue and the 

 lower incisors, and quite near the median line. 



4. The sublingual gland is a small, elongated, flat gland, 

 lying close to the inner side of the mandible, anterior to 

 the base of the tongue. Its very minute duct opens also 

 on the floor of the mouth. 



V. Hyoid Bone and Glottis. The hyoid lone lies 

 deeply imbedded in the flesh between the angles of the 

 lower jaw. It furnishes important attachments for 

 muscles of the neck. Its position may be determined 

 by feeling with the fingers. 



The pharynx is narrowed posteriorly into the esophagus. 

 On its floor, near the commencement of the esophagus, is 

 the opening of the glottis (or larynx). The glottis stands 

 widely open, and its entrance is guarded by an erect flap 

 of cartilage, the epiglottis. When food is swallowed, the 

 epiglottis is depressed, and forms a bridge over the glottis, 

 across which the food slides safely into the esophagus. 

 Depress the epiglottis, and study its action. 



VI. Thorax and Abdomen. Extend the hind legs 

 backward, and the fore legs forward, and fasten them 

 so with a tack through each foot. Observe two fairly 

 well defined regions in the body of the rabbit : (1) a 

 thorax with its walls supported by ribs, and (2) an 

 abdomen with soft, thin, muscular walls. Divide the 

 skin along the median ventral line for the entire length 

 of the body, and strip it back, away from the sides. 

 Cut away the ventral muscular wall of the abdomen. 



