470 THE INIECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. 



versity of action, at the same time that they have 

 greater power than those of herbivorous quadru- 

 peds. The articular surfaces are of greater extent, 

 and are lubricated with a more copious supply of 

 synovia ; their ligaments are more delicate and 

 more numerous ; and thejoints, in general, adapted 

 to a greater variety of movements. All these pro- 

 visions are evidently directed to confer great free- 

 dom and facility of motion, and to enlarge the 

 sphere of action of the body generally, as well as 

 of the limbs. 



§ 11. Quadnimana. 



We may trace in the series of quadrupeds which 

 have come under our review a gradual increase in 

 the developement of the hind feet ; beginning from 

 the horse, which is single hoofed, or solipede ; next 

 to which rank the cloven-footed ruminants, a tribe 

 which includes the Camel, whose foot is widely 

 expanded for the purpose of treading securely on 

 sand ; then come the Rhinoceros, which has three 

 hoofed toes ; the Hippopotamus, which has four, 

 and the Elephant, which has live. To these suc- 

 ceed another series, where nails, or claws, are sub- 

 stituted for hoofs, as is the case with all the Carni- 

 vora, which, standing on the extremities of their 

 toes, have been termed Dioitio-rades. Then follow 



^ CD Cj 



the Plantigrade quadrupeds, such as the Bear, the 

 Badger, the Hedgehog, and the Mole, which rest 

 with the whole foot on the ground, and are in con- 

 sequence able to make great use of their fore paws. 

 These conduct us to the family of the Quadrumana, 



