( 317 ) 

 ON T|it; 



USE OF THE SUTURES 



IN THE 



SKULLS OF ANIMALS. 



BY 



IVJR. B. GIBSON. 



Read Pec. i, iSej. 



X HE full use of the singular junction of the 

 bones of the skull which is called Suture, has, 

 from the earliest periods of anatomy and sur- 

 gery, attracted the attention and eluded the 

 researches of the physiologist. To thjs. re- 

 markable feature in osteogeny, ' in : a great 

 measure peculiar to a certain period of life, 

 many uses have been attributed. Some of these 

 are totally erroneous; such as th^it/or allowing 

 the transpiration of moisture,.',,^P . keep tb^ 

 brain cool and fit for thinking ; j^r. giving a 

 mor^ strict adhesion of the dura'^infler to the 

 inner surface of the skull ; for admitting a 

 more free communication by bloodvessels be- 

 tween the external and interp^l- paits of 

 head ; or for affording interstices, that the 



