Part 11. /;/ /^^ Creation. 287 



demonftrated to be more rigid and inflexible than 

 a folid one of the fame Subilance and Weight ; 

 fo that here is Provifion made for the Stiffnefs 

 and Lightnefs of the Bones. But the Ribs, which 

 are not to bear any great Weight, or to be ftrong- 

 ly exercis'd, but only to fence the Breaft, have 

 no Cavity in them, and towards the fore part or 

 Breaft are broad and thin, that fo they might 

 bend and give way without danger of Frailure ; 

 when bent returning by their elaftick Property to 

 their Figure again. Yet is not the Hollow of the 

 Bones altogether ufelefs, but ferves to contain the 

 Marrow, which fupplies an Oil for the main- 

 taining and inundion of the Bones and Liga- 

 ments, and fo facilitating their Motion in the 

 Articulations ; and particularly (which we men- 

 tioned not before) of the Ligaments, preferving 

 them from Drynefs and Rigidity, and keeping 

 them fupple and flexible, and ready to comply 

 with all the Motions and Poftures of that move- 

 able Part to which they appertain ; and laftly, to 

 fecure them from Difruption, which, as ftrong 

 as they are, they would be in fome danger of, up- 

 on a great and fudden Stretch and Contortion, if 

 they were dry, Gfc. See more to this Purpofe in 

 the Treatife fore quoted, ^.183. 



That whereas the Breaft is encompafs'd with 



Ribs, the Belly is left free, that it might give way 



to the motion of the Midriff in Refpiration, and 



to the neceffary Reception of Meat and Drink, 



I ^ as 



