36 THE HOUSE I LIVE IN. 



Although this bone might seem at first view 

 almost useless, yet it serves many important 

 purposes ; and there is scarcely a bone in the 

 body but might be spared as well if not better 

 than this. 



THE FOOT. The bones of the foot have a 

 general resemblance to the bones of the hand r 

 which I shall describe fully in another place. 

 But they also differ from those of the hand in 

 several important particulars. 



The foot is composed of twenty-six little 

 bones, strongly fastened together by gristle, or 

 ligaments. These ligaments yield, when we 

 bear upon the foot, just enough to have it con- 

 form to the surfaces on which we tread. If 

 the foot consisted of one solid bone, it would 

 not yield or spring at all; and it would be 

 liable to be broken when we jump or fall on 

 our feet. Think how clumsy a wooden foot 

 would be ! And one of solid bone would be 

 nearly the same thing. 



