130 / LECTURE III. 



a motion between the two rows of carpal 

 bones, so that when the wrist is bent, the 

 arch of the carpus forms a kind of knuckle 

 without any angular projection. We find the 

 same structure in the second apparent joint 

 of the fore-legs of quadrupeds. What seems 

 a knee is the wrist, and they kneel upon 

 the knuckle of the carpus. The fabric of 

 this part is particularly strong. Its arched 

 form secures it from injury from above, 

 the carpal ligament from below; but it 

 is equally uninjured by forces applied to 

 its side, else how could boxers strike with 

 such force, or animals leap as they are 

 known to do. 



The four metacarpal bones, which are 

 interposed between the carpus and fin- 

 gers, are made large at either end, to form 

 joints, and small in the middle, to afford 

 room and arrangement to muscles, which 

 move the fingers from side to side. Their 

 bulky ends, which join on to the carpus, are 

 connected by nearly plain surfaces, and 

 admit of no manifest motion. The other 

 ends, which support tlie fingers, are formed 



