Here is a typical way one might use :first-child: first you apply the image to all links in the list, then you remove it from the first one.

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#nav li a
{background:url(images/nav-sub-div.png) 0 0 repeat-x;}
#nav li:first-child a
{background-image:transparent;}

However, using the Adjacent Siblings Selector, you can streamline it:

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#nav li + li a
{background:url(images/nav-sub-div.png) 0 0 repeat-x;}

The + selector applies the style to any LI that immediately follows an LI, which obviously rules out the first item. A simple solution, often overlooked.

Compatibility