SILLS OF THE HOUSE. 49 



however, is a strong wedge-like bone, between 

 them. Between this last bone, called the sa- 

 crum, and each of the ossa innominata, there is 

 also a very strong gristle ; but it is not so thick 

 or strong as the one I have just mentioned. The 

 ossa innominata and sacrum make a kind of 

 cup, or deep bowl open at the bottom, it is 

 true, but still bowl-like in its shape. This 

 bowl is called the pelvis, 



HIP JOINT. The manner of fastening the 

 thigh bone, or femur, to the hollow of the in- 

 nominata, is very remarkable. I shall give 

 a particular account of it, with an engraving, 

 farther along in the book ; so that a few words 

 must answer, for the present. 



The hollow, where the femur is fastened, is 

 shaped like the inside of an egg shell, with the 

 small end broken off. The round end of the 

 femur is fastened in this deep cavity, by a very 

 large and strong cord. The shoulder is often 

 dislocated, or slipped out of its place ; but this 

 hollow is so deep, and the cord so strong, that 

 nothing but very great violence will break the 

 cord, or slip the femur out of its place* 

 5 



