CHARACTERS OF VERTEBRATES. 171 



these are called the metatarsal bones, and together form 

 the metatarsus ; and finally come the bones of the toes called 

 phalanges~r?i long series of names to remember, yet they 

 apply to every animal possessing a vertebral column and 

 having legs. 



153. The fore-legs of the salamander have similar joints, 

 the elbow-joint corresponding with the knee-joint, the wrist- 

 joint corresponding with the ankle-joint. Above the elbow 

 there is one long bone called the humerus, and this articu- 

 lates with the shoulder-blade, or scapula, as it is called. Be- 

 low the elbow are two long bones side by side, called the 

 radius and ulna. In the wrist are a number of small bones 

 called carpal bones, which together form the ca/rpus ; and 

 then follow longer bones corresponding with the metatarsal 

 bones, and these are called the metacarpal hones, and to- 

 gether form the metacarpus; and finally the bones of the 

 fingers which are called phalanges, the same name which ap- 

 plies to the bones of the toes. The following figures repre- 

 sent the bones of the right fore and hind leg of a species 

 of salamander common to the l^ortheastern and Middle 

 States. 



With the aid of a good hand-lens the pupils may see 

 these bones in the leg of any small salamander by observing 

 the following directions : having secured a live salamander, 

 the animal may be killed with ether ; now, if the leg be cut 

 ofE and gently pressed between two thin pieces of glass, the 

 fiesh is sufficiently translucent to show all the principal 

 bones quite distinctly : 



