122 NATURAL THEOLOGY* 



ments."* We can hardly help comparing this 

 with the binding up of a fracture, where the fillet 

 is almost wholly strapped across, for the sake of 

 giving firmness and strength to the bandage. 



Another no less important joint, and that also 

 of the ginglymus sort, is the ankle ; yet though 

 important, (in order, perhaps, to preserve the sym- 

 metry and lightness of the limb,) small, and, on 

 that account, more liable to injury. Now this 

 joint is strengthened — i. e., is defended fix)m dis- 

 location, by two remarkable processes or prolon- 

 gations of the bones of the leg, which processes 

 form the protuberances that we call the inner and 

 outer ankle. It is part of each bone going down 

 lower than the other part, and thereby overlap- 

 ping the joint : so that if the joint be in danger of 

 slipping outward, it is curbed by the inner pro- 

 jection — i. e., that of the tibia ; if inward, by the 

 outer projection — i. e., that of the fibula. Be- 

 tween both, it is locked in its position. I know 

 no account that can be given of this structure, ex- 

 cept its utility.^" Why should the tibia terminate, 



30 It is surprising, that among so many instances our author 

 should omit to notice the perfection in the anlde-joint. When we 

 stand resting upon the foot, the joint is firm, and yields neither to 

 the inside nor the outside ; but when we move the foot forward 

 and point the toe in making the step, such is the happy form of 

 the bones that the foot is in this position thrown quite loose. The 

 object here certainly is, that in walking on the irregular ground, 

 we may have a freedom in directing the foot so as to plant it 



+ Ches. Anat. cd. 7th, p. 45. 



