NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



83 



the spine to carry the head without a jar or injury of 

 any kind. 



Fig. 11 



» 



MJ 



The human spine, so named from a Latin word signifying thorn, 

 on account of the sharp processes, s, s, s, which project from 

 the bones, and form the outer ridge, of the Lack. a, a, a 

 the cartilages, or plates of gristle, inserted between all the 

 vertebrae. It will be seen that in bending backward, the pro- 

 cesses will touch and prevent the motion ; also, that the 

 strongest processes are in the lowest division of the spine, 

 where the loins are situated, and where the motions of the 

 back are greatest. In the middle portion, between the verte- 

 brae B, B, it will be observed that the processes are almost 

 in contact with one another ; so that in this part the spin* 

 hardly admits of any flexure. The ribs enclosing the heart, 

 lungs, &c, are attached to this portion of the spine, and con- 

 sequently, any considerable bending would here be unsafe. 

 In the upper division, the processes are again spread ; tint 

 being required for the flexibility of the neck. 



