THE HAND. 197 



the scaphoides and the sort of unciform process from the trape- 

 zium bounding the radial margin of its groove. These several 

 prominences may, with a little attention., be readily distinguished 

 beneath the skin. The superior face of the carpus, which ar- 

 ticulates with the lower end of the radius and ulna, presents an 

 oblong convex head formed by the scaphoides, the lunare, and 

 very partially by the cuneiforme. The inferior face of the car- 

 pus presents a very diversified surface, subdivided into five dis- 

 tinct ones, each of which is fashioned according to the shape 

 of the metacarpal bone with which it has to articulate. 



The central joint of the wrist, formed between the two rows 

 of bones, is very deserving of attention. The first row is con- 

 vex on its radial end, the convexity being formed on one half 

 of the scaphoides: to the ulnar side of this there is a deep con- 

 cavity formed by the other half of the scaphoides, by the lu- 

 nare and the cuneiforme. The upper surface of the second row 

 fits very accurately upon the lower surface of the first: its ra- 

 dial end is, therefore, a concavity formed by the trapezium and 

 trapezoides, which receives the convexity of the scaphoid; then 

 a very large prominent head is formed by the magnum and 

 unciforme, and received into the concavity of the first row. 

 The magnum reposes upon the scaphoides and part of the lu- 

 nare, the unciforme upon the remainder of the lunare, and the 

 whole of the cuneiforme. The carpal bones consist of cellular, 

 matter enclosed by condensed lamellated substance. 



Of the Metacarpus-., 



The metacarpus, is situated between the carpus and the pha- 

 langes of the fingers and thumb. It consists of five bones, one 

 for the thumb and one for each finger. The latter are parallel 

 or nearly so with each other; but the first diverges considerably, 

 and is so placed as to traverse the others in front during its 

 motions. These bones are rounded in their middle, and enlarged 

 at their extremities. That of the thumb is the shortest, the 

 others decrease successively in length from the fore to the lit- 

 tle finger* 



17* 



