I 



////: HONES. 



that naturally join tlu; various pieces together sin- allowed to remain; ;unl 

 a>-tijit-!al it', after these ligaments luwo boon de>tr.>ved. it is necessary to 

 replace them by materials foreign to organisation, such as iron or bra-;* 

 wire. 



The skeleton is divided into trunk and limbs. 



The trunk offers for consideration, in the median line, the spiw or 

 d/ column, a flexible stalk measuring the entire length of the animal, 

 and composed of a series of distinct pieces articulated one behind tin- 

 other. Anteriorly, this stalk supports the head, a pyramidal protuberance 

 which itself results from the assemblage of a large number of bones. 

 On each side of the middle portion of the spine, there are detached bony 





Fig. a. 



SKKI.KTOX OK TIIK IIOUSK. 



arches which have received the name of ribs, and which rest, directly 

 or indirectly, by their inferior extremities, on a single bone called the 

 *! rmim. These bony arches in this way circumscribe the thorax, a 

 spacious cavity destined for the reception of the principal organs of re- 

 spiration and circulation. 



The limbs, four in number, two anterior and two posterior, are the 

 appendages which support the trunk. Each represents a column divided 

 into several rays resting upon one another, and generally forming more 

 or less acute angles. The anterior limbs are each divisible into four 

 principal regions : the shoulder, applied against the front part of the thorax : 

 the arm, which succeeds the shoulder ; and the fore-arm and foot. The 

 fi(,nfi-i-!<i)- limbs also comprise four regions : the hwincl or pti/rit, which 

 articulates with the posterior part of the spine ; and the tlnyh, /<//, and 

 potierior foot. 



