THE RABBIT. 135 



THE LEGS OF THE RABBIT. 



Most of the following structures may be made out from 

 a shinbone of a sheep, readily obtained from the butcher. 



1. After removing the skin from the legs, observe the 

 muscles, covered by a thin glistening membrane, the 

 muscle-sheath. Study the shape of the muscles. 



2. Note the white tendons which terminate the muscles. 



Loosen the tendons from surrounding tissues and 

 separate the muscles from each other along their 

 sides without cutting them. Pull the different mus- 

 cles to determine the motion each produces. 



A muscle which straightens a limb is an extensor. 



A muscle which bends a limb is a flexor. 



3. The large tendon running along the back side of the 

 shinbone is the tendo Achillis; it corresponds to 

 what part of our bodies? to what part of the horse? 



4. By further dissection find how the different move- 

 ments of the toes are effected. 



5. Cut into the knee-joint. Observe the liquid, the 

 synovia, which oils the joint. Rub a drop of it be- 

 tween the thumb and finger. 



6. Observe the glistening bands which hold the ends of 

 the bones together. These are the ligaments. Care- 

 fully study their arrangement and uses. 



7. Note the thin layer of cartilage over the ends of the 

 bones. Feel of it. Cut it. What are its properties, 

 and what its uses ? 



8. With the forceps strip off a little of the muscle- 

 sheath from one of the muscles and note the color of 

 the latter. Cut one of the muscles across in its mid- 

 dle and examine the cross-section. Each fibre lias its 



