286 THE SKELETON OF THE EABBIT. 



the passage of the spinal , nerves, the posterior 

 notches being much the deeper. 



e. T^e neural spine or spinous process is a median 



dorsal crest, projecting upwards and forwards 

 from the top of the neural arch. 



f. The hypapophysis is a median ventral process from 



the under surface of the centrum, projecting 

 downwards, forwards, and slightly to the right. 



g. The transverse processes are a pair of large flattened 



processes with expanded ends, projecting forwards, 

 downwards, and outwards from the sides of the 

 centrum. 

 h. The zygapophyses or articular processes are borne 

 on the two ends of the neural arch : they articulate 

 with those of the adjacent vertebra, so as to limit 

 torsion of the vertebral column, and lateral dis- 

 placement of the contiguous vertebrae. 



i. The pre-zygapophyses, or anterior articular pro- 

 cesses, project upwards from the anterior end 

 of the neural arch. The articular surfaces 

 are concave, and turned inwards towards each 

 other : above them the processes extend up- 

 wards in this vertebra to form the stout met- 

 apophyses. 



Fig. 58. — Lepus ennioulus. Selected vertebree. (a. m m.) 

 I. First cervical vertebra, or atlas, from the dorsal surface. 

 II. Second cervical vertebra, or axis, from the right side. III. Fifth 

 cervical vertebra ; anterior surface. IV. Fourth thoracic vertebra, 

 from the right side. V. Fourth thoracic vertebra, and fourth pair 

 of ribs ; anterior surface. VI. Second lumbar vertebra, from the 

 right side. VII. Second lumbar vertebra ; anterior surface. 



A, articular surface for atlas. AP, anapophysis. AZ, anterior or pre- 

 zygapophysis. C, centrum. CB, epiphysis of centrum. CR, cervical rib. 

 PH, facet for capitulum or head of the fourth rib. PH', facet for capitulum 

 of the fifth rib. PO, facet for odontoid process. P'r, facet fur tubercle of 

 fourtti rib. HP, hypapophysiti. MP, metapophysis. WS, neural spine, 

 or spinous process. OP, odontoid process. P2, post-zygapophysis. ErC, 

 capitulum or head of rib. RP, process of rib for attachment of liga- 

 ments. BS, sternal portion of rib. RT, tubercle of rib, RV, vertebral 

 portion of rib. S, sternum. TP, transverse process. VA, vertebrarterial 

 canal. 



