38 THE HOUSE I LIVE IN. 



fastened to the main body of the foot by a very 

 firm but springy (elastic) joint. On this ac- 

 count, when \ve walk, (the heel being thus 

 formed like a spur, and having a great deal of 

 elasticity,) we put it down first, and the whole 

 weight of the body does not come down with 

 a jolt, but more gently. 



ITS CONTRIVANCE. Taken altogether, the 

 foot is a most admirable contrivance. It is, 

 indeed, arched both ways ; from the toes to the 

 heel, and from side to side. It will help you 

 to get a clearer idea of this arched structure, 

 to step into the water with your bare foot, and 

 then step immediately upon a dry floor, and 

 see what sort of a track it will make. You 

 see only a small spot for the heel, and several 

 such small spots for the toes. Little, if any, 

 of the middle part of the foot touches the 

 floor at all. There is, however, a difference 

 in feet. Some persons have much flatter feet 

 than others. 



I have said that the human foot is a most 

 admirable contrivance ; and it is so. There is 

 nothing like it to be found among the other 

 animals, though we find wonders even there. 



