370 



THE MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. 



latter bones are very distinctly marked in the 

 Lophius piscaforins, or Angler, as may be seen in 

 Fig. 191, where u is the scapula; c, the clavicle; u, 

 the ulna ; and u, the radius. The carpus may also 



be recognised in a chain of small bones, w, inter- 

 posed between the radius and the Phalanges, z. 

 In the Rai/ these phalanges are very numerous, 

 and each is divided into several pieces by regular 

 articulations: these are shown in Fig. 192: they 

 are arranged close to one another in one plane, and 

 form an effectual base of support to the integument 

 which covers them. The scapula, according to 

 Cuvier, is sometimes detached from the rest of the 

 skeleton, and at other times connected with the 

 spine : in most cases, however, it is suspended from 

 the cranium ; a fact which has been cited in fur- 

 ther corroboration of the analogy which the cranial 

 bones are supposed to have to vertebrae. 



lar origin has been assigned to the pieces of bone to which the 

 ventral fins are attached : but it is difficult to reconcile this theory 

 with the fact that these bones do not proceed from the spine, and 

 are quite detached from the rest of the skeleton. It is evident, 

 therefore, that if they are to be considered as analogous to the bones 

 of the hinder extremities in the mammalia, they must be in a condi- 

 tion of very imperfect developement. 



