THE BONES. 33 



largest being the heel bone. As in the hand there are five 

 metacarpal bones, so in the foot there are five metatarsal 

 bones. They lie side by side, the inner one not being separ- 

 ated, as in the hand. 



31. The Toes. There are two phalanges in the great toe 

 and three in each of the others, as in the hand, but they are 

 smaller in size and more limited in their movements. It 

 astonishes us sometimes, however, to see the extent of motion 

 training will give to the toes. People born without arms, 

 or who have lost them by accident, have been taught to 

 carve, write, and even to paint with their toes. The bonete of 

 the foot, as a whole, are less movable than those of the hand. 

 In its construction the foot is better adapted for bearing the 

 weight of the body than for varied movements. If a straight 

 line be drawn from the lowest point of the heel bone to the 

 ball of the great toe, it will be seen that a bony arch is 

 formed, the top of which supports the body. It is by this 

 arrangement we secure in walking the light, springy step, 

 while in running, leaping or jumping, this elastic curved 

 spring prevents any jarring of the body, and by the help of 

 the many cushions, pads and ligaments we have already 

 alluded to, carries the brain at the summit of this bodily 

 structure almost without a tremor. 



In animals whose habit of life it is to bound after their 

 prey, in addition to this arching of the foot, there is placed 

 under each toe a soft cushion or pad, to further break the 

 shock they would otherwise receive. Examine the cat's paw. 

 You will find it a good example of what we have mentioned 

 here. 



32. The Joints. We have mentioned a number of the 

 joints, and shown how necessary they are for the many move- 

 ments of the body, and for the performance of the various 

 duties man has to fulfil. We have noticed also that they 

 vary in their extent of motion, according to the use for which 



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