OSTEOLOGY AND ARTHROLOGY iii 



Furthermore, if this position is chosen, for example, for model- 

 ling or drawing, it cannot be obtained without difficulty 

 when we have to deal with an isolated piece of the skeleton, 

 on account of the absence of equilibrium, which it is necessary 

 to obviate. It is true that the question of convenience 

 should not take precedence of all others, and it suffices for 

 us in this connection to recall, in regard to the human pelvis, 

 that, although the older anatomists used to represent it as 

 resting commodiously on the three angles which terminate 

 it at its lower part (ischial tuberosities and coccyx), this 

 attitude being false, it is customary now to incline the 

 superior aspect forwards, inasmuch as this arrangement 

 more nearly conforms to reality, in spite of the fact that it 

 is a little more difficult so to dispose an isolated pelvis. 

 Further, to return to the head ; if its vertical direction can 

 be demonstrated, for example, in many horses, it is not suffi- 

 ciently general to be adopted as the classic position. 



In regard to the facility of placing in position, the hori- 

 zontal direction is certainly to be preferred ; but this is also 

 far removed from the natural position in the animal while in 

 the state of repose. On the other hand, the mind is not 

 satisfied with the idea that certain regions of the face, 

 such as the nose and the forehead, are then directed upwards. 

 And yet it is necessary to come to a decision, seeing that 

 what we are now investigating applies also to the position 

 to which it is necessary to give the preference in placing the 

 skeleton of the head when we wish to draw it in profile. 

 That which we adopt is a compromise, but to us it seems 

 more rational. 



The position of the head of the horse, to be normal, 



should be such as to give it an inclination of 45°. In this 



1 . 



the head, and that, consequently, it is rather difficult to localize it precisely 

 in the case of a given skeleton. Further, because of the absence of the 

 base of the nose in the complete skull, the auriculo-nasal hne cannot 

 be accurately fixed. It would be the same for most other animals. This 

 is why the method employed for these latter is preferably that of Cuvier, 

 or, again, that of Cloquet. In the former, the apex of the angle of 

 Camper is transferred to the free border of the upper incisors, but these 

 teeth may be absent, and, on the other hand, ruminants are destitute of 

 them. In the second, the same apex is placed at the alveolar border, 

 and the angle then becomes fairly easy to appreciate. 



