118 MAX AXD THE LOWER AXIMALS. n 



wrist followed by a broad palm, formed of flesh, 

 and tendons, and skin, binding together four bones, 

 and dividing into four long and flexible digits, or 

 ringers, each of which bears on the back of its last 

 joint a broad and flattened nail. The longest cleft 

 between any two digits is rather less than half as 

 long as the hand. From the outer side of the 

 base of the palm a stout digit goes off, having 

 only two joints instead of three; so short, that it 

 only reaches to a little beyond the middle of the 

 first joint of the finger next it; and further re- 

 markable by its great mobility, in consequence of 

 which it can be directed outwards, almost at a 

 right angle to the rest. This digit is called the 

 " pollex" or thumb; and, like the others, it bears 

 a flat nail upon the back of its terminal joint. In 

 consequence of the proportions and mobility of the 

 thumb, it is what is termed " opposable "; in other 

 words, its extremity can, with the greatest ease, 

 be brought into contact with the extremities of 

 any of the fingers; a property upon which the pos- 

 sibility of our carrying into effect the conceptions 

 of the mind so largely depends. 



The external form of the foot differs widelv 

 from that of the hand; and yet, when closely com- 

 pared, the two present some singular resemblances. 

 Thus the ankle corresponds in a manner with the 

 wrist; the sole with the palm; the toes with the 

 fingers; the great toe with the thumb. But the 

 toes, or digits of the foot, are far shorter in pro- 



