212 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



ed cells of strong bone, and each bone is joined 

 to another by a line, serrated, deep, and regular ; 

 the mechanical strength of the union always cor- 

 responding with the strength of the bones ; and 

 the whole being formed into a base suited for the 

 support of the horns, and calculated to sustain the 

 shock when the animal butts with the whole 

 weight and strength. 



Tiie engraving represents the irregular line of union of the bones 

 of the skull as seen on the outer surface. 



We might contrast the skull of the ram or goat 

 with that of the tiger, where the strength is in its 

 jaws. This animal, too, has the brain-case small, 

 and, as it w^ere, buried in the head ; but the jaws, 

 instead of being spongy bones, as in man, are 

 dense and strong to sustain the teeth ; for what 

 would avail these teeth, long and sharp and strong, 

 could they be twisted from their socket ? and 

 what would avail the strength of the jaws, and 

 length and depth of the teeth, were not the proper 

 skull surrounded with spines and arches of bone 

 dense and strong enough to give attachment to 

 the muscles of the jaws ? Thus, in the carnivo- 

 rous animal, the strength of the bony textures of 

 the head is all concentrated in the jaws of the 



