THE RABBIT. 125 



Preserve both specimens in alcohol. Ligature the 

 vena cava inferior just back of the diaphragm and 

 just back of the liver, and cut away all of the liver 

 but that part immediately surrounding the vena cava 

 inferior. To trace the lacteals and the thoracic duct, 

 feed a kitten or puppy on rich milk, and three hours 

 after place it in a box or under a bell-jar with a 

 sponge soaked with ether or chloroform. When it is 

 completely dead, cut off its head, open the abdomen, 

 spread out the mesentery, and observe in it the white 

 lymphatic vessels, known as lacteals, alongside the 

 veins, converging to form the thoracic duct. Trace 

 this along the aorta. Compare with a kitten that has 

 been fasting eight or ten hours. 



THE KIDNEY. 



The structure of the rabbit's kidney may be made out 

 by the following directions, but the sheep's kidney, being 

 larger and essentially similar, may be conveniently used. 

 If the sheep kidney be used, its dissection may be made 

 later. 



1. Observe the depression in the inner border of the 

 kidney, the sinus. 



2. From the sinus trace a slender white tube, the ureter, 

 back to the bladder. Find also the renal artery and 

 vein branching as they enter the kidney through the 

 sinus. 



3. With a sharp knife split the kidney like a bean, 

 beginning at the outer border, stopping the cut when 

 a white membrane is reached near the sinus. With 

 forceps pry about to explore the cavity between this 



