132 ERECT ATTITUDE 



of whicli, carried through the entire trunk, must fall within 

 the space covered by the feet, or by one foot when we sup- 

 port the body on one only. As this line passes through aril 

 the curves, motion is allowed in the upper regions without 

 impairing the general equilibrium. 



The cervical vertebrae of the monkeys, including the sa- 

 tyrus * and troglodytes f, are remarkable for the length and 

 prominence of the spinous processes ; a peculiarity proba- 

 bly connected with the support of the head, which prepon- 

 derates in front, in consequence of the elongation of the jaws 

 and the retreat of the occipital condyles backwards |. 



I have explained how the lower extremities afford a suffi- 

 cient base of support and solid columns to sustain the trunk, 

 and how the same point is secured by the organic arrange- 

 ments of the latter. The breadth of the human pelvis forms 

 an ample basis for the body, and a firm point of action for 

 the abdominal and other muscles, enabling tliem quickly to 

 rectify the position of the parts above. In all the digitated 

 animals, the pelvis is so narrow, that the trunk resembles 

 an inverted pyramid : there would be great difficulty in 

 maintaining it in equilibrio, even if it were possible for the 

 animal to assume the erect position. In those instances 

 where the pelvis is broader, as in the hoofed animals, the 

 other conditions of the upright stature are absent. The 

 bear, however, forms an exception to these observations, 

 and may be taught to stand and walk erect, although the 

 posture is manifestly irksome to the animal. When qua- 

 drupeds endeavour to support themselves on the hind ex- 

 tremities, as for the purpose of seizing any objects with the 



* " Les vertebres cervicales sont remarquables par la longueur extraordi- 

 naire des apophyses epineuses des six inf^ieures ; mais surtout par celle du 

 milieu." " Los apophyses paroissent avoir besoin de cette longueur dans 

 I'orang, pour qu'il puisse tenir micux sa t^ie en equilibre. Je ne connois 

 aucun autre animal dont les apaj)hyscs epineuses des vertfebres cervicales soient 

 aussi longucs, excepte le pliiUmdre d'Aiii^riquc,"' Camper, (Euvres, i. 126. 

 pi. 2. fig. S. + Tyson, p. G8. 



^ Tiiis great developcmont of the cervical spines is most remarkable in the 

 pongo, where the enormous bulk of the jaws corresponds to it. See Aude- 

 BERT, Jlist, Nat. des Singes et Mokis, fol. Planche Anatomique 2, fig. 5.. 



