An experimental study, repairing of articular cartilage by free periosteal graft in rabbit, was designed. Two 4.5mm wide circular full-thikness cartilage defects were drilled on the medial femoral condyle, in 24 adult rabbits. A graft of periosteum from the proximal tibia was fitted into the defect (right side), by using fibrinogen glue. On the control side (left side), the defect was fulled with fibrinogen glue, or repaired by periehondrial grafts which were taken from their own ribs. This experiment indicated that both periosteum and perichnodrium have the same potential of cartilagious regeneration. And the processes of regeneration are also the same. So we suggest to use free autologous periosteal grafts to replace free autologous perichondrial grafts to cure the articular cartilage defects.