CHAPTER III 







OF THE CHEST 



IN extending the parallel which we proposed 

 between the structure of the body and the works 

 of human art, it signifies very little to what part 

 we turn ; for the happy adaptation of means to 

 the end will everywhere challenge our admiration, 

 in exact proportion to our success in comprehend- 

 ing the provisions which Supreme Wisdom has 

 made. We turn now to a short view of the bones 

 of the chest. 



The thorax, or chest, is composed of bones and 

 cartilages, so disposed as to sustain and protect 

 the most vital parts, the heart and lungs, and to 

 turn and twist with perfect facility in every motion 

 of the body ; and to be in incessant motion in the 

 act of respiration, without a moment's interval, 

 during a whole life. In anatomical description, 

 the thorax is formed of the vertebral column, or 

 spine, on the back part, the ribs on either side, 

 and the breastbone, or sternum, on the forepart. 

 But the thing most to be admired is the manner 

 in which these bones are united, and especially 

 the manner in which the ribs are joined to the 



