CHAPTER V 

 THE SKELETON 



FREE the bones of a rabbit as much as possible from flesh, 

 but without separating more than necessary the bones from one 

 another, bury them or allow them to soak in water for two 

 to three weeks. Or the bones of a rabbit, after boiling, may be 

 treated in the same way. Then wash them well and expose 

 them to the sun to dry. Prepare in this way the skull, several 

 vertebra and ribs, the shoulder and hip bones, and the larger 

 bones of the limbs. Compare the bones and joints with the 

 description given below of the bones and joints of man. 

 The skeleton consists of: 



1. The bones of the trunk and neck, namely, the vertebral 



column, ribs, sternum, and the pectoral and pelvic 

 girdles. 



2. The bones of the head, namely, the cranium and the 



bones of the face. . 



3. The bones of the arms. 



4. The bones of the legs. 



The Vertebral Column. The vertebral or spinal column 

 is the bony axis of the body. It consists of distinct bones, 

 called vertebrae, placed one upon another. The vertebral column 

 is divided into regions as follows : 



1 . The cervical region, or region of the neck, consisting of 



seven vertebra;. 



2. The dorsal region, or region of the back, consisting of 



twelve vertebne. 



3. The lumbar region, or region of the loins, consisting of 



five vertebrae. 



4. The sacral region, consisting of five vertebra' united 



together to form a single bone, the sacrum. 



