C8 OF MECHANICAL ARllANGLMlENT 



where the fillet is almost always strapped across, for the 

 sake of giving firmness and strength to tlie bandage. 



Another no less important joint, and that also of the sin- 

 gly mus sort, is the cuilde ; yet, though important, (in order 

 perhaps, to preseive the symmetry and lightness of the 

 limb) smallj and on that account, more liable to injury, 

 (PI. XI. fig. 4.) Now this joint is strengthened, i. e. is 

 defended from dislocation, by two remarkable processes or 

 prolongations of the bones of the \eg^ which processes form 

 the protuberances that we call the inner and outer ankle. 

 It is part of each bone going down lower than the other 

 part, and thereby overlapping the joint ; so that, if the 

 joint be in danger of slipping outward, it is curbed by the 

 inner projection, i. e. that of the tibia ; if inward, by the 

 outer projection, i. e. that of the fibula. Between both, it 

 is locked in its position. I know no account that can be 

 given of this structure except its utility. Why should the 

 tibia terminate at its lower extremity with a double end^ 

 and the fibula the same, but to barricade the joint on both 

 sides by a continuation of part of the thickness of the bone 

 over it ? * 



* The most obvious proof of contrivance is the junction of the foot io 

 the bones of the leg at the ankle joint. The two bones of the leg# 

 called the tibia and the fibula, receive the great articulating bone 

 of the foot (the astragalus) betwixt them. And the extremities 

 of these bones of the leg project so as to form the outer and in- 

 ner ankle. Now, when we step forward, and whilst the foot is raised^ 

 it rolls easily upon the ends of these bones, so that the toe may be di- 

 rected according to the inequalities of the ground we are to tread upon ; 

 hut when the foot is planted, and the body is carried forward perpen- 

 dicularly over the foot, the joint of the leg and foot becomes fixed, and 

 we have a steady base to rest upon. We next observe, that, in walk- 

 ing, the heel first touches the ground. If the banes of the log were 

 perpendicular over the part which first touches the ground, we should 

 come down with a sudden jolt, instead of which we descend in a semi- 

 circle, the centre of which is the point of the heel. 



And when the toes have come to the ground we are far from losing 

 the advantages of the structure of the foot, since we stand upon an 

 elastic arch, tlie hinder extremity of which is the heel, and tiic anterior 

 the balls of the toes, A finely formed foot should be high in the in- 

 step. The walk of opera dancers is neither natural nor beautiful ; but 

 the surprising exercises Avhich they perform give to the joints of the 

 foot a freedom of motion almost like that of the hand. ^\'e have seen 

 the dancers, in their morning exercises, stand for twenty minutes on 

 the extremities of their toes, after which the effort is to bend the in- 

 ner ankle down to the floor, in preparation for the Bolero step. By 

 such unnatural postures and exercises the foot is made unfit for walk- 

 ing, as may be observed in any of the retired dancers and old figuV' 

 antes. By standing so much upou the toes, the human foot is convert- 



