RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS. 503 



unrestrained motions of the anterior extremity; 

 and the sternum projects so as to resemble the 

 keel of a ship. The bones of the anterior extre- 

 mity are not joined to the rest of the skeleton by 

 means of any bone corresponding to a clavicle ; 

 but they are connected with the spine and ribs 

 only by ligaments and muscles ; so that the fore 

 part of the trunk is in fact suspended between 

 the limbs by its muscular attachments alone. 

 This is not the case with the hind extremities ; 

 for their bones commence with the pelvis, which 

 proceeds backwards from the sacrum, but with 

 a considerable inclination downwards, and has 

 a deep hemispherical cavity for the lodgment of 

 the round head of the thigh bone. The length- 

 ened forms of the iliac bones, and also of the 

 scapula, provide for the application of muscles 

 of considerable length, which are consequently 

 capable of communicating to the parts they move 

 a greater velocity than could have been effected 

 by muscles of equal strength, but with shorter 

 fibres. 



Both the humerus in front, and the femur 

 behind, are so short as to appear, on a super- 

 ficial view, to form part of the trunk, being 

 entirely enveloped and concealed by the large 

 muscles connecting them with the body. The 

 heads of the two humeri, in consequence of the 

 absence of the clavicle, are brought very near 



