532 



THE MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. 



general, are more divided into portions, and are 

 thus capable of greater divei'sity of action, at the 

 same time that tliey have greater power than 

 those of herbivorous quadrupeds. The articular 

 surfaces are of greater extent, and are lubricated 

 with a more copious supply of synovia ; their 

 ligaments are more delicate and more numerous ; 

 and the joints, in general, adapted to a greater 

 variety of movements. All these provisions are 

 evidently directed to confer great freedom and 

 facility of motion, and to enlarge the sphere of 

 action of the body generally, as well as of the 

 limbs. 



§11. Quadrumana. 



We may trace in the series of quadrupeds which 

 have come under our review a gradual increase 

 in the developement of the hind feet : beginning 

 from the horse, which is single hoofed, or 

 solipede ; next to which rank the cloven-footed 

 ruminants, a tribe which includes the camel, 

 whose foot is widely expanded for the purpose of 

 treading securely on sand ; then come the 

 Rhinoceros, which has three hoofed toes ; the 

 Hippopotamus, which has four, and the Ele- 

 phant, which has five. To these succeed ano- 

 ther series, where nails, or claws, are substituted 

 for hoofs, as is the case with all the Carnivora, 

 which, standing on the extremities of their toes, 



