530 



THE MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. 



springs with which they pounce upon their 

 prey must impart to the whole osseous frame the 

 most violent concussion. The first stroke with 

 which they attempt the destruction of their 

 victims is given with the fore leg : so that had 

 the limb been rigidly connected with the sternum 

 by means of an entire clavicle, its motions would 

 have been too limited, and danger of fracture 

 would have been incurred. The scapula is 

 broad, and the humerus of great length, com- 

 pared with the same bones in ruminants ; and 

 the latter has besides a large surface for its 

 articulation with the former of these bones, 

 thus allowing of a great range of motion : the 

 radius and ulna are perfectly distinct, and play 

 extensively on each other. 



The fore feet rest on the ground by means of 

 the second of the three joints of which each toe 



