90 PHYSIOLOGY. 



examination of a single bone, or even the end of a bone, like 

 that of the radius, shows that the animal to which it belonged 

 was carniverous, like the tiger, lion or leopard, it also shows 

 the form of all the other bones ; not only that the animal had 

 teeth to rend his prey, and claws to hold it, but a spinal col- 

 umn to admit of such motion, such writhing and turning as 

 is necessary to secure it, and such a stomach and intestines 

 as are adapted to digest it, in short, such as belong to the 

 carniverous class. How beautiful is that process of reason- 

 ing, and how interesting that science which enables us from 

 a small portion of a skeleton, to determine the existence of a 

 carniverous animal, of a fowl, or a bat, a lizard, or a fish ; 

 which teach us the wisdom and the extent of that plan, which 

 adapts the members of every creature to its proper office ; 

 which exhibits a system extending through the whole range 

 of animated beings, whose motions are conducted by the ope- 

 ration of muscles and bones. 



50. Twenty-nine bones enter into the composition of the 

 human hand, of which eight constitute the wrist. The meta- 

 carpal bones support the fingers, and are four in number, the 

 thumb being directly articulated with the wrist. From this 

 arrangement there results great strength, mobility, and elas- 

 ticity. Indeed, it may be said, that on'the length, strength, 

 free lateral motion, and perfect mobility of the thumb, de- 

 pends the power of the human hand. In strength it is said 

 to be equal to that of all the fingers, hence it is called pollex, 

 from " pollere" to have much strength. If we examine the 

 thumb of the monkey, we find that it extends no farther than 

 to the root of the fingers, p^he fingers would be compara- 

 tively of little use, were it not for the fleshy bed of the 

 thumb. | 



