518 On the Use of the Sutures 



bones may be pushed asunder by the growth 

 of the brain, lest that organ should be cramped 

 in its growth, in consequence of the compa- 

 ratively slow growth of the bones of the 

 skull. 



Other uses attributed to the Sutures are 

 merely slight ' advantages derived from their 

 structure, which are enjoyed in early infancy, 

 or till adult life, but gradually cease after that 

 period. Thus at the time of birth the loose 

 union of the bones of the skull accommodates 

 the shape of the head to the figure of the dif- 

 ferent parts of the cavity through which it 

 passes. At adult age, when the sutures are 

 fully formed, they may occasionally check the 

 progress (if I may be allowed the expression) 

 of a fracture nearly spent ; — or vibrations, com^ 

 municated to the bones of the skull, will be 

 propagated with less force to the brain, in con- 

 sequence of the bones being separated at the 

 sutures. It is, however, abundantly evident, 

 that these are not the main purposes for which 

 the sutures are formed ; otherwise they would 

 not begin to be obliterated at a period of life 

 when they would perform these offices more 

 usefully than ever. Consistent with this remark 

 we shall find, that the true purpose for which 

 they are formed, and the particular process with 



