STANDING. 287 



919. The Foot. In describing the parts concerned in 

 standing and walking, we will begin with the base, or 

 foundation. 



We will, however, only give a slight description of 

 the bones of this part. The tarsus is that part which 

 reaches from the heel to the middle of the foot, marked a, 

 Fig. 130. It is composed of seven bones. The meta- 

 tarsus, b, consists of five long bones, laid close together, 

 and reaching from the tarsus to the roots of the toes. 

 The phalanges, c, or bones of the toes, are so called be- 

 cause each row forms a phalanx. Of these there are 

 fourteen in the whole. Thus the bones of the foot are 

 twenty-six in number. These are covered with cartila- 

 ges, and supplied with tendons ; the first binding them 

 together in the strongest manner, and the second giving 

 them motion in all directions. There is indeed no part 

 of the human frame which is put together with so much 

 care, and so strongly guarded against accidents, as the 

 foot. It is obvious that were this not the case, so small 

 a part would not withstand the violent concussions to 

 which it is subjected, in sustaining the whole weight of 

 the body, in leaping and other exercises. 



920. The two bones of the lower limb, the tibia, or 

 shin-bone, andfbula, which is placed on its outside, form 

 by their lower extremities, the inner and outer ankle- 

 bones. These are articulated with the great bone of the 

 foot, called the astragalus; by which a hinge-joint is 

 formed, having also some lateral motion. 



921. Now when we walk, this joint allows the foot to 

 roll easily upon the ends of these bones ; so that the toes 

 may be directed according to the inequalities of the sur- 

 face over which we pass. But when the foot is fixed on 

 the ground, the muscles instantly act in such a manner 

 as to give the joint a firm support, so that the whole body 

 rests upon it, while the other foot is carried forward. 



922. In walking, the heel first touches the ground, at 

 which instant the bones of the leg and foot are in the po- 

 sition with respect to each other, represented by Fig. 130. 

 If the legs were situated perpendicularly over the part 

 which first comes to the ground, we should come down 

 with a dead blow, or jolt, as one does who has a woo ien 



