PART II. 



OSTEOLOGY OF THE RABBIT. 



For a practical study of the rabbit's skeleton, a thoroughly 

 cleaned, but otherwise rough, unmounted skeleton will be found 

 most convenient. The skull should be divided with a fine saw at a 

 little to one side of the median plane, or a second skull may be 

 provided for this purpose (cf . Fig. 62) . The most useful specimens 

 for reference are: (i) a well-mounted skeleton of the adult animal, 

 showing the natural relations of the bones ; and (2) a rough skeleton 

 of a young animal of from one to five weeks, showjng the primary 

 composition of cartilage bones. For the special study of the skull 

 (pp. 140-159) a disarticulated specimen rnay be employed, but the 

 majority of the features may be made out in the intact or divided 

 skulls. The general account of the skull as given below will be 

 found to cover most of the osteological points noted in the dissection. 



DIVISIONS OP THE SKELETON. 



The skeleton is divisible into two main portions, namely, the 

 axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The former 

 comprises the vertebral column, the ribs, the sternum, and the 

 skeleton of the head; the latter, the supports of the anterior and 

 posterior limbs, and the associated pectoral and pelvic girdles. ' 



THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN. 



The vertebral column (columna vertebralis) is formed of a 

 linear series of segments, the vertebrae. In accordance with its 

 function as a general support of the body, and also its relations with 

 the nervous system and the spinal musculature, the vertebrae, with 

 minor exceptions, are constructed on the same plan. Those of 



