70 
ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 
racters of cervical vertebrae, and closely resemble one another; 
the third however has commonly a more elevated superior spine 
than either of the others, and is narrower across the mesio- 
superior part of the body, measuring from the roots of the arti¬ 
cular processes : which dimension increases in the fourth, but is 
greatest in the fifth. 
The Sixth has no inferior spine; and its transverse pro¬ 
cesses are trifid, consisting each of three eminences. 
/ 
The Seventh Cervical Vertebra is the shortest, and 
in its general conformation partakes of the character of the 
first dorsal. Its body posteriorly presents two semilunar arti¬ 
cular hollows for the formation of the sockets for the ribs. The 
superior spine is elevated and sharp. The transverse processes 
are short, obtuse, and not perforated. 
Of the dorsal vertebrae, the distinctions are less numerous 
and striking. 
The First Dorsal Vertebra has a cervico-dorsal confor¬ 
mation, manifested in the form of the body, the length and 
sharpness of the spinous process, the protuberance and single¬ 
ness of the transverse processes, the breadth and direction of 
the articular processes. 
The Second Dorsal Vertebra differs from the others 
in the curvation of its spine backwards, against that of the 
third ; and in the breadth and direction of its anterior articular 
processes. 
•The other dorsal vertebrae are distinguishable principally 
from the comparative form and length of their spines. The 
first spine is short compared to the second, and terminates in a 
sharp apex; the second has a broader extremity, and in some 
instances is bifid; the succeeding grow broader and more ob¬ 
tuse at their ends until they assume a form similar to those of 
the lumbar vertebrae. The fifth spine is generally the longest; 
the 12th or 13th the first that assumes the lumbar character. 
M. Girard correctly observes, also, that the articular depres¬ 
sions upon their bodies for the heads of the ribs are less deeply 
marked as we proceed backwards. 
The Eighteenth Vertebra, and the seventeenth gene¬ 
rally, have no articular surfaces upon their transverse processes, 
but whole ones upon their bodies for the ribs. 
In the lumbar region. 
The First, Second, and Third have broader spines, and 
their articular processes are nearer together; The Fourth 
possesses a surface for articulation with the fifth on each trans- 
