CHARACTERS OF VERTEBRATES. 171 



these are called the metatarsal bones, and together form 

 the metatarsus ; and finally come the bones of the toes called 

 phalanges a long series of names to remember, yet they 

 apply to every animal possessing a vertebral column and 

 having legs. 



153. The fore-legs of the salamander have similar joints, 

 the elbow-joint corresponding with the knee-joint, the wrist- 

 joint corresponding with the ankle-joint. Above the elbow 

 there is one long bone called the humerus, and this articu- 

 lates with the shoulder-blade, or scapula, as it is called. Be- 

 low the elbow are two long bones side by side, called the 

 radius and ulna. In the wrist are a number of small bones 

 called carpal bones, which together form the carpus / and 

 then follow longer bones corresponding with the metatarsal 

 bones, and these are called the metacarpal bones, and to- 

 gether form the metacarpus; and finally the bones of the 

 fingers, which are also called phalanges. The following fig- 

 ures represent the bones of the right fore and hind leg of 

 a species of salamander common to the Northeastern and 

 Middle States. 



With the aid of a good hand-lens the pupils may see 

 these bones in the leg of any small salamander by observing 

 the following directions : having secured a live salamander 

 the animal may be killed with ether ; now, if the leg be cut 

 off and gently pressed between two thin pieces of glass, the 

 fiesh will be found sufficiently translucent to show all the 

 principal bones quite distinctly : 



