18C7.] 273 [Wymai. 



unequivocal instance in the whole range of comparative anatomy, of 

 an epiphysis undergoing such a displacement as is claimed for the 

 patella. 



There are some facts, however, which seem to support the view 

 under discussion. The researches of Robin have set at rest the ques- 

 tion as to the nature of the odontoid process of the axis, and have 

 proved that it is the body of the atlas cobssified with that of the 

 axis. This, however, would not be similar to the transfer of the 

 epiphysis of one bone to the shaft of another parallel to it. The 

 bodies of the vertebrae are in a linear series, and may be united 

 without changing their relative position, as happens, for example, with 

 the occiput and sphenoid, or with the epijjhyses of the sacral vertebrae 

 which may become united with each other before either of them be- 

 comes united with their respective bodies. The epiphyses of the ulna 

 and radius in some ruminants, as the ox, may become codssified with 

 each other before they are eodssified with their shafts. But in all such 

 cases the relative position of parts is strictly preserved, and there is 

 consequently no transfer of an epiphysis from one bone to another, as 

 is required by the hypothesis which is referred to above. We therefore 

 conclude that the view of Soemmering and others, which regards the 

 patella as a sesamoid, is the more reasonable. 



HANDS AND FEET. 



Admitting the existence of fore and hind symmetry, no difficulty is 

 met with in comparing either the pelvic or scapular arches, the hu- 

 merus and femur, or the bones of the fore arm and leg, provided the 

 bones of the fore arm are rotated outwards enough to counteract the 

 rotation inwards which took place in foetal life. If we would compare 

 hands and feet as symmetrical parts, the first step should be to put 

 them in symmetrical positions. For this purpose suspend a human 

 skeleton with the vertebral column horizontal, allow the legs and 

 arms to hang vertically from it, and rotate the fore arm completely 

 outward. The palms will now face forwards, and the soles backwards, 

 the bones of the fore arm and leg will be in parallel planes, and these 

 at right angles to the axis of the body. If now the foot is raised for- 

 wards, so that the sole shall be horizontal and at right angles with 

 the leg, the hands should be raised backwards to the same position 

 with regard to the fore arm ; the fingers will now point backwards, 

 and the toes forwards, and thus the general symmetry of all the seg- 

 ments of the limbs is secured. It is in this that the limbs of man and 

 animals would have ended in the process of development, had not the 

 tendency to symmetry been interfered with, for the purpose of adapt- 

 ing the skeleton to the different kinds of locomotion. 



PROCEEDINGS B. S. H. H.— VOL. XI. 18 FEERUARr,1868. 



