in the Skulls of Anhnab. S19 



tvhich they are connected, is fully completed 

 before their obliteration takes place. 



When we take a view of t^c mode of jiinctioit 

 between many bones, and parts of bones in 

 thchuman body, which do not admit of motion^ 

 we find that with little exception they all agree 

 in this particular ; that sooner or later the 

 cartilage or periosteum, which once was in- 

 terposed is obliterated, and these different 

 portions, or entire bones, coalesce. 



The separate portions, which originally 

 compose the vertcbrse, are early in thus uniting: 

 after these the sides of the lower jaw ; at a later 

 period the epiphysis of a cylindrical bone is 

 united to its body : and still later the bones 

 of the skull usually coalesce, and the sutures 

 are obliterated. Other bones, as those of the 

 face, which have no motion and sustain little 

 weight, are irregular in this respect ; sometimes 

 uniting, but generally remaining distinct, to 

 the end of a long life. 



llie original formation of the osseous system 

 in several distinct pieces, respects principally 

 its speedy ossification at an early period of 

 life, and its future convenient extension, till it 

 has arrived at its full growth ; and we may 

 consider it as a general principle, that where 

 two parts of one bone are separated from each 

 other by an intervening cartilage, oxhvo distinct 



