Organic Nature s Riddle 335 



bone, and membrane — into some or all of such parts — 

 according to the circumstances of the case. In a case of 

 broken bone, the two broken ends of the bone soften, the 

 sharp edges thus disappearing. Then a soft substance is 

 secreted, and this becomes at first gelatinous, often afterwards 

 cartilaginous, and, finally, osseous or bony. But not only 

 do these different kinds of substance — these distinct tissues 

 — thus arise and develop themselves in this neutral, or, as 

 it is called, 'undifferentiated' substance, but very complex 

 structures, appropriately formed and nicely adjusted for the 

 performance of complex functions, may also be developed. 

 We see this in the production of admirably formed joints 

 in parts which were at first devoid of anything of the kind. 

 I may quote, as an example, the case of a railway guard, 

 whose arm had been so injured that he had been compelled 

 to have the elbow with its joint cut out, but who afterwards 

 developed a new joint almost as good as the old one. In 

 the uninjured condition the outer bone of the lower arm — 

 the radius — ends above in a smooth-surfaced cup, which plays 

 against part of the lower end of the bone of the upper arm, 

 or humerus, while its side also plays against the side of the 

 other bone of the lower arm, the ulna, with the interposition 

 of a cartilaginous surface. The radius and ulna are united 

 to the humerus by dense and strong membranes or liga- 

 ments, which pass between it and them, anteriorly, posteriorly, 

 and on each side, and are attached to projecting processes, 

 one on each side of the humerus. Such was the condition 

 of the parts which were removed by the surgeon. Nine 

 years after the operation the patient died, and Mr. Syme 

 had the opportunity of dissecting the arm, which in the 

 meantime had served the poor man perfectly well, he having 

 been in the habit of swinging himself by it from one carriage 

 to another, while the train was in motion, quite as easily and 

 securely as with the other arm. On examination, Mr. Syme 



