347 
part of the acetabulum and the opposed surface of the head 
of the femur, forms, with the line of weight of force which 
passes through the ligamentum teres, an obtuse angle: and 
the resultant of these forces is in a line which passes through 
the long axis of the head of the femur. When the person 
is erect, the body partly hangs upon the ligamentum teres. 
This, he submitted, is the prime function of the hgamentum 
teres. Other purposes he did not deny, but would maintain 
that they only occasionally come into play, and are altogether 
subordinate to this one, which is especially called into action 
whenever the weight of the body is thrown upon one leg. 
He supported his view by reference to comparative anatomy, 
remarking that it is present when the acetabulum looks 
outward, and the head of the femur is inclined inward; in 
other words, when the hip-joint is placed obliquely, so that 
there would be otherwise undue pressure at a particular part; ~ 
and that it is absent in those animals in whom, although it 
ig an instrument of regression, the posterior extremity does but 
little in supporting the weight of the body; e.g. seals, and the 
ourang-outang. 
In- a discussion which followed, Prof. Humphry disputed, 
and Mr Savory still maintained, the tension of the ligament 
referred to in the paper. 
(2) On a Clepsydra. By Mr Exuis. 
(3) A Model shewing the mechanical arrangement of 
the Joints in the Limb of a Lobster. By Mr Enu1s. 
27 
