34 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 



situated at the fore part of the pelvis ; and each one of these bones 

 contributes to form the large and deep socket, for the head of the 

 thigh bone. The pelvis not only affords lodgment for the organs 

 contained within its cavity, but it also sustains the entire weight of 

 the body, and furnishes sockets for the heads of the thigh bones to 

 roll in, and a broad surface for numerous muscles to spring from. 



a d. Ilium. E. Os Coccyx. G. Femur. H. Pubes. u u. Foramen ovalc. 



The pelvis is so named, because it is somewhat like a basin, only 

 it has a wide aperture in the bottom, through which the canals from 

 the bowels, the bladder, and in the female from the womb, make 

 their exit. It consists of three pieces, two haunch-bones and the 

 rump-bone, in vulgar language. 



The head is placed upon the end of the spinal column, in order 

 that the brain which is contained in it may be connected with 

 the spinal marrow ; and upon its upper end, that the eyes which 

 are set in it may enjoy the widest possible range. It consists of 

 two parts, the cranium and the face ; the former for containing the 

 brain, the latter for the organs of sight, smell, and taste. The 

 cranium is very nearly of the shape of an egg, the large end being 

 backward, and the small one forward,^>resenting thus the characters 

 and having the strength of a double dome. The upper dome is 

 stronger, however, than the lower one, and hence we find that 

 when a man falls from a height on his head, the fracture is most 



