130 DOMESTIC RABBITS. Chap. IV. 



the occipital foramen is generally much less deeply notched 

 than in wild rabbits. Certain parts of the scapula and the 

 terminal sternal bones have become highly variable in shape. 

 The ears have been increased enormously in length and breadth 

 lirough continued selection ; their weight, conjoined probably 

 with the disuse of their muscles, has caused them to lop down- 

 wards ; and this has affected the position and form of the bony 

 auditory meatus; and this again, by correlation, the position in 

 a slight degree of almost every bone in the upper part of the 

 skull, and even the position of the condyles of the lower jaw. 



