40 Life and Health 



is an irregularly disk-shaped bone, 

 the patella, or knee-cap. It in- 

 creases the leverage of important 

 muscles and protects the front of 

 the knee joint, which is, from its 

 position, much exposed to injury. 



58. The Bones of the Foot. The 

 bones of the foot, twenty-six in num- 

 ber, consist of the tarsal bones, the 

 metatarsal, and the phalanges. The 

 tarsal bones are the seven small, irreg- 

 ular bones which make up the ankle. 



The metatarsal bones, correspond- 

 ing to the metacarpals of the hand, 

 are five in number. 



The phalanges are the fourteen 

 bones of the toes. 



The bones of the foot are kept in 

 place by powerful ligaments, com- 

 bining great strength with elasticity. 



NOTE. It is wonderful what habit and 

 necessity will make the foot accomplish. 

 We who wear tight boots can hardly believe 

 it when we hear of persons carving, knitting, 

 writing, and even painting with the toes. 



THE JOINTS 



59. Formation of Joints. The 



various bones of the skeleton are 

 connected at different parts of 

 their surfaces by joints, or articula- 

 tions, which vary according to the FIG. 25. Right Tibia and Fibula, 

 kind and the amount of motion. (Anterior surface.) 



