38 Life and Health 



less liable to be broken than if it were to consist of a single 

 bone. The combined action of the carpal bones helps to 

 give the hand much freedom of action. 



The metacarpal or palm bones are the five long bones of 

 the back of the hand. 



The phalanges, or finger bones, are the fourteen small 

 bones arranged in three rows to form the fingers. Each 

 finger has three bones ; each thumb, two. 

 v 54. The Hand as a Marvel of Mechanism. The hand 

 has much strength and flexibility, and is thus enabled to 

 accomplish the countless movements so necessary to our 

 well-being. There, is no part of the body which cannot be 

 reached by the hand. It is a marvel of precise and adapted 

 mechanism, capable not only of performing every variety 

 of work and of expressing many emotions of the mind, but 

 of executing its orders with inconceivable rapidity. 



THE BONES OF THE LOWER LIMBS 



^ 55. The Bones of the Lower Limbs. The general struc- 

 ture and number of the bones of the lower limbs bear a 

 striking similarity to those of the upper limbs. Thus, the 

 leg, like the arm, is arranged in three parts, the thigh, the 

 leg, and the footer 



The thirty bones of each lower limb are usually classified 

 as follows : 



Thigh : Femur, or thigh bone. 



f Tibia, or shin bone. 

 Leg : -\ Fibula, or splint bone. 



[ Patella, or knee-cap. 



f 7 Tarsal or ankle bones. 

 Foot : J 5 Metatarsal or instep bones. 



I 14 Phalanges, or toe bones. 



