284 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



metatarsal bone very differently from what we find to be the case 

 with the metacarpal of the pollex. Here there are not two 

 saddle-shaped smiaces applied one to the other. The first and 

 four succeeding metatarsals do not diverge, as do the first and 

 four succeeding metacarpals. The bones of the digits or 

 " phalanges " of the foot are three to each digit, except the great 

 toe (or hallux), which, like the thumb (or pollex) has but two. 



The muscles which bend or flex the toes are not only such as 

 those which bend or flex the fingers, but there is in addition a 

 long muscle placed on the outer side of the leg, the strong tendon 

 of which crosses the sole (or plantar surface) of the foot obliquely 

 to be implanted into the metatarsal of the hallux. There is 

 nothing corresponding with this in the hand. This long muscle 

 is called the " peroneus longus." 



Let us now glance at the physiology of the hand and foot. 

 The hand is essentially a grasping organ, and the idea of " pre- 

 hension " is connected by the term " hand " — as we may see by 

 considering such words as " handhng " and "manipulation"; 

 and therewith is associated the idea of a certain amount of skill, 

 as evidenced by the epithet " handy." 



The perfection of the human hand as an instrument is a 

 trite subject for remark, and its powers are mainly due to the 

 perfection with which the thumb, or pollex, can be opposed to all 

 and to each one of the other manual digits. Were the thumb 

 shorter than it is, the perfection of the hand as an instrument 

 would be thereby very greatly diminished. Nevertheless the 

 hand does occasionally serve in locomotion, as in climbing and 

 swimming, but such employment for it is altogether exceptional 

 and secondary. 



The foot is, on the contrary, essentially an organ of loco- 

 motion and support, as we may see by such terms as " footing " 

 and the " feet " of a stool. In the use of the foot the great toe, 

 or hallux, is not opposed to the other digits, nor can it grasp at 

 all, as does the thumb. Nevertheless it is of the greatest utility, 

 serving, as the great toe does, as the fulcrum in walking. It is 

 made so to serve by the action of the " peroneus longus" muscle, 

 which (owing to the disposition of its strong tendon before 

 described) tends to pull up the foot upon the great toe, and so 

 pressing the great toe upon the ground. Nevertheless the foot 

 does occasionally and exceptionally serve as a grasping organ, as 



