PELA'IC GIEDLE AND HIND-LIMB. 321 



the rabbit, as a small cotyloid bone, com- 

 pleting the margin of the acetabulum below. 

 The pubes unites along its ventral border 

 with its" fellow of the opposite side to form 

 the anterior part of the symphysis, the 

 hinder portion of which is formed by the 

 ischium ; the line of union between these 

 two bones is visible only in the skeletons 

 of very young rabbits. 



D. The Hind-Limb. 



The hind-limb ife much larger than the fore-limb, and like 

 this is divisible into four main portions. 



In the hind-limb the departure from the primitive condition 

 is much less marked than in the fore-limb. The whole limb 

 has rotated forwards through about a right angle, so that the 

 preaxial border is directed inwards, and the postaxial out- 

 wards ; the original dorsal surface being turned forwards, and 

 the ventral surface backwards. 



1. The thigh, like the arm, contains a single bone, the 

 femur. Certain sesamoid bones in connection with 

 the knee-joint may be considered with it. 



i. The femur is an elongated bone, consisting of 

 a cylindrical shaft and two enlarged ex- 

 tremities. 



The proximal end bears on its inner or 

 preaxial side th« prominent rounded head, 

 which articulates with the acetabulum to 

 form the hip-joint. To the outer side of the 

 head, and forming the end of the bone, is a 

 large rough process, the great trochanter ; 

 between this and the head, on the posterior 

 surface of the bone, is a deep pit, the trochan- 

 teric or digital fossa. 



On the inner or preaxial side of the bone, 

 immediately below the head, is a rough ridge, 

 the lesser trochanter ; opposite to which on 



Y 



