?98 SKELETON OF THE BABBIT 



c. The distal row of carpals consists of four bones, 



the two outermost of the typical carpus having^ 

 fused to form a single bone. 



i. The first carpale, or trapezium, is on the inner or 

 preaxial side of the wrist ; it articulates with 

 the radiale, and supports the first metacarpal, 



ii. The second carpale, or trapezoid, articulates 

 with the radiale and centrale, and supports 

 the second metacarpal. 



iii. The third carpale, or os magnum, is very small t 

 it articulates with the intermedium and cen- 

 trale, and supports the third metacarpal. 



iv. The fourth and fifth carpalia are fused to form 

 the unciform bone, which is much larger : it 

 articulates with the ulnare, and supports the 

 fourth and fifth metacarpals. 



d. The pisiform is a small bone on the posterior 



or flexor surface of the carpus, and articulates 

 with the distal end of the ulna and with the 

 ulnare. 



4. The hand of the rabbit has five digits, as in man : 

 the bones of each consist of a proximal metacarpal, 

 followed by the phalanges, the last of which is 

 conical and slightly curved, and supports the claw. 



The poUex, or preaxial digit, corresponding to 

 the thumb in man, is much shorter than the others, 

 and has only two phalanges, while each of the other 

 digits has three. 



Sesamoid bones are developed in the tendons of 

 the flexor muscles, opposite the metacarpo-phalangeal 

 and certain other articulations. 



C. The Pelvic Girdle. 



The pelvic girdle, which supports the hind-hmb, consists of 

 two halves, which, though primitively nearly at right angles 

 to the vertebral column, are in the adult rabbit almost parallel 



