FRAME-WORK OF THE HOUSE. 37 



ARCH OF THE FOOT. The arching of the 

 foot is a singular contrivance. It is really 

 much like an arched bridge and its two abut- 

 ments. I will explain. 



In the above engraving, the foot is not 

 placed flat down upon the .ground, but in the 

 position which it has when we walk, and are 

 just setting it down. Then, as may be seen 

 by the two lines drawn, it descends in a semi- 

 circle from the point of the heel. 



You may easily perceive how awkwardly we 

 should feel if we were obliged to walk with a 

 flat foot, by lashing a strip of wood to the 

 bottom of the foot. It is quite evident there 

 would be no spring when we tread on it. We 

 could hardly walk, run, leap or swim. 



Another thing. The heel is not exactly 

 under the leg, but runs back like a spur, and is 

 4 



