110 MECHANISM OF THE BONES. 



we should always walk as upon stilts. The leg would 

 strike the ground, like a cane. 



Fig. 18. 



In this figure the foot is represented as descending to the ground 

 in a semicircle from the point of the -heel. Owing to this 

 circumstance, in connexion with the elasticity of the parts, 

 the force of the blow is diminished. 



T. Are there any peculiarities in the feet or 

 limbs of different animals, adapted to their particu- 

 lar necessities ? 



A. In the first place the foot of the monkey, as 

 well as the hand exhibits a structure unlike that of the 

 human species. The monkey's foot has an additional 

 muscle. The muscles which move the toes are also 

 differently disposed, and compel the animal to rest 

 more upon the outer edge of the foot than upon the 

 bottom. In the limbs of all animals, though not so 

 much in the heavier species, there are sloping joints, 

 or joints which make a bend. This enables the limbs 

 to give or spring in some degree, under the weight 

 of the body, so as to prevent a pounding stroke. In 

 the horse, for example, we perceive the whole length 

 of the limb from the body to the ground, is very far 



