33 



pfincipally depends on the form and direcSilon of the 

 bones : thus the ikeleton will always be found admi- 

 rably adapted to the various purpofes for which the 

 animal it belongs to is intended. Bones are formed 

 during the growth of an animal, by means of the 

 blood velTels depofiting an earthy fubftance within 

 proper membranes formed to receive it. The bones 

 are tipped with a fubftance called cartilage^ or grijlle, 

 which, by its great eiaflicity, counteracts the jar 

 and fliocks of violent motion ; and, to prevent the 

 efFe<^ts of fridion, the oppofed ends of bones, form- 

 ing joints, are furniflied with a very flippery fluid 

 called Tj/r^or/ff, or join toil, which is formed from the 

 blood veflels of the inlide of the capfular membranes. 

 Thele membranes being very full of blood veflels to 

 form this fluid, arc confequently very tender and fuf- 

 ceptible of difeafe; and this is the reafon that, when 

 the joint oil efcapes from a wound, that that wound is^ 

 peculiarly dangerous ; for the joint oil efcaping, the 

 bones rub againll each other, and thus inflame the 

 joint : therefore, in thefc cafes, to flop this efcape, 

 and prevent the inflammation, judicious farriers ap- 

 ply fomothing to the outer edge of the wound, as a 

 hot iron, which inflames it, and thus cloies the 

 •pcning. 



Tlie bones, thus conneded, form what is termed a 



Jkelcton, which is, therefore, nothing more than an 



admirable mechanical arrangement of bones. The 



