160 SKELETON OF THE SHEEP 
BONES OF THE THORACIC LIMB 
The scapula differs chiefly from that of the ox in the following points: The ver- 
tebral border is longer and the neck narrower. The spine is less sinuous. The 
glenoid extremity is relatively long, since the tuber scapule is connected with the 
rim of the glenoid cavity. The subscapular fossa is more extensive. 
The humerus is relatively longer and more slender than that of the ox. The 
anterior part of the lateral tuberosity is blunt and less incurved, while the posterior 
part is small. The deltoid tuberosity is nearer to the proximal end and is less 
prominent. 
The bones of the forearm are relatively longer than those of the ox. The 
radius is a little more curved than that of the ox, and its dorsal surface is more 
regularly rounded. The shaft of the ulna is more slender, especially in its distal 
half; its fusion with the radius occurs later and is usually much less extensive than 
in the ox. 
The carpal bones resemble those of the ox except in size. The accessory is 
long and less tuberous. 
The large metacarpal bone (Mc. 3 + 4) is long and slender. The lateral small 
metacarpal bone (Mc. 5) is often absent or is represented by a ridge on the large 
metacarpal. 
The phalanges of the chief digits are relatively long and narrow. The third 
phalanx in particular is much flattened on its abaxial side, so as to form a prominent 
dorsal border. Of the proximal sesamoids, the abaxial ones are compressed from 
side to side, and the axial ones from before backward. The flexor surface of the 
distal sesamoids forms a shallow groove, not divided by a ridge. The accessory 
digits usually have no phalanges. 
BONES OF THE PELVIC LIMB 
The os coxe differs greatly from that of the ox. The long axis of the ilium 
is almost in a line with that of the ischium. The gluteal line appears as a ridge 
which is nearly parallel with the lateral border. The tuber cox is only slightly 
thickened, and the tuber sacrale is pointed. The crest is concave medially, convex 
laterally. The shaft is relatively long and is flattened laterally. The superior 
ischiatie spine is low and everted. The pubis resembles that of the ox, but its an- 
terior border (pecten) is thin and sharp. The ischium slopes downward and back- 
ward, and forms a much larger angle with its fellow than in the ox. The lesser 
sciatic notch is very shallow. The tuber ischii is flattened and everted; it bears a 
long, blunt-pointed lateral process, and a very short and blunt dorsal prominence. 
There is a very low ventral ridge on the symphysis. The latter is not usually com- 
pletely ossified, even in old animals. The acetabulum is further back than in the 
ox, and is relatively larger and deeper; it has a deep notch posteriorly. The 
pelvic inlet is very oblique, so that a vertical plane from the anterior end of the 
symphysis cuts the first coceygeal vertebra. The brim is elliptical; the conjugate 
diameter is about five inches (ca. 12 em.), and the transverse about three and a 
half to four inches (ca. 9.5 em.). The floor of the pelvic cavity is wide and shallow 
as compared with the ox, and the pelvic axis inclines downward posteriorly. 
The shaft of the femur is slightly curved, the convexity being anterior. A dis- 
tinct line separates the lateral and posterior surfaces. The supracondyloid fossa 
is very shallow. The head has a shallow fovea and the neck is distinct. The tro- 
chanter major is little higher than the head. The ridges of the trochlea are similar 
and parallel, but slightly oblique. 
The tibia is long and slender, but otherwise resembles that of the ox. The 
fibula has no shaft, and its proximal end is represented by a small prominence be- 
