TO THE LOWfcR ANIMALS. 109 



proves that the resemblance of the so-called " hind hand V 

 to a true hand, is only skin deep, and that, in all essential 

 respects, the hind limb of the Gorilla is as truly terminated 

 by a foot as that of man. The tarsal bones, in all impor- 

 tant circumstances of number, disposition, and form, re- 

 semble those of man (Fig. 20). The metatarsals and 

 digits, on the other hand, are proportionally longer and 

 more slender, while the great toe is not only proportion- 

 ally shorter and weaker, but its metatarsal bone is united 

 by a more moveable joint with the tarsus. At the same 

 time, the foot is set more obliquely upon the leg than in 

 man. 



As to the muscles, there is a short flexor, a short ex- 

 tensor, and a peronceus longus, while the tendons of the 

 long flexors of the great toe and of the other toes are 

 united together and with an accessory fleshy bundle. 



The hind limb of the Gorilla, therefore, ends in a true 

 foot, with a very moveable great toe. It is a prehensile 

 foot, indeed, but in no sense a hand : it is a foot which 

 differs from that of man not in any fundamental charac- 

 ter, but in mere proportions, in the degree of mobility, and 

 in the secondary arrangement of its parts. 



It must not be supposed, however, because I speak of 

 these differences as not fundamental, that I wish to under- 

 rate their value. They are important enough in their 

 way, the structure of the foot being in strict correlation 

 with that of the rest of the organism in each case. Nor 

 can it be doubted that the greater division of physiologi- 

 cal labour in M#n, so that the function of support is 

 thrown wholly on the leg and foot, is an advance in the 

 organization of very great moment to him ; but, after all, 

 regarded anatomically, the resemblances between the foot 

 of Man and the foot of the Gorilla are far more striking 

 and important than the differences. 



