REMARKS ON 
THE FIGURES 
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OF PLATE XLII. 
THE STERNAL COSTO-VERTEBRAL ARCHETYPES AS PLUS CONTAIN QUANTITIES EQUAL TO ALL THE 
MINUS FIGURES OF SERIES, 
ARIETY (is consequent upon the metamorphosis of certain parts which are proper to a. whole. 
Hence when we give the name species to such variety, this name cannot imply any other meaning 
than that the form is special by reason of its being as a proportional of some fuller form. A 
semicircle is a species compared to the circle, but this special distinction does not prevent us from 
interpreting the semicircle to be half of the circle. 
the circle, but still we read the segment as being a proportional of the circle. 
A segment is also a species compared with 
A mere point 
may also be interpreted as a species or proportional of this same whole figure—the circle, especially 
if the point holds series with the circle. 
The sternal costo-vertebral archetype or circle may be metamorphosed to quantities, equal to 
either the asternal costo-vertebral form, the vertebral proportional, or the caudal point; and therefore 
it is that we say, all those several quantities will still relate of the whole figure from which they 
have been produced. 
As our comparisons are drawn in reference to the serial 
skeleton axis, we shall therefore ask ourselves the question 
to what end and idea would those comparisons tend. Is 
it simply to establish the fact, that skeleton axes are cast 
after a somewhat common plan or type. No, it is not 
simply this trite and already well-known reading that we 
would here repeat, for it is now-a-days as fully understood 
_that skeleton axes are forms planned after the same general 
type, as it is that our right arm is the homologue of 
our left. But the main object which we have at present 
in view, is to prove that skeleton axes, such as they present 
to us, are one and all planned and proportioned from an 
archetype plus structure, which is the common prime model 
of them all, and from which all have been created, and 
that this is the source of their analogies and of their 
species. . 
Now a comparison of the three opposite figures will prove 
the following facts in support of the present argument, 
or. else nothing at all beside what is well known by 
every one concerning them. We would have it here 
understood, first, that the several regions of the skeleton 
axis result by the subtraction of quantity from the 
archetype, and also that each minus region of series, 
such as a cervix or loins, is rendered of greater or lesser 
length according to the number of those serial archetypes 
which have suffered metamorphoses. Secondly, that figs. 
A, B, andC, possess the archetype quantity in thoracic series, 
and that this is the thoracic costo-vertebral sternal circle ; 
that the serial form of next degree in quantity to the arche- 
type is the thoracic costo-vertebral asternal figure, which 
is therefore to be interpreted as a form produced from its 
own archetype, and which may be said to have suffered 
the least degree of subtraction. Thirdly, that each 
skeleton axis is a creation resulting by the proportioning 
metamorphosis or subtraction from serial archetype quan- 
tities, and that that form which results from an archetype 
which has suffered the greatest degree of subtraction or 
metamorphosis, is the last caudal bone; and consequently, 
that every skeleton axis terminates at that unit of series 
from whose plus figure the largest quantity has been 
withdrawn. 
Fig. A terminates its cervical region at unit 7 a. 
thoracic region at unit 19 a. Its lumbar region at unit 
26 a. Its sacral region at unit 29. Its caudal region at 
unit 53, and so we say that the law of proportioning has 
rendered this skeleton axis such as it stands, by having 
metamorphosed variable quantities from 53 archetypes, 
such as those of the thoracic costo-vertebral sternal form. 
Fig. B terminates its cervical region in series at unit 7. 
Its thoracic region at unit 19 a. 
unit 24 a. 
Its 
Its lumbar region at 
Its sacro-caudal region at unit 31, and so, n 
like manner, we say that the law of proportioning has 
metamorphosed 31 archetypes, such as the thoracic circle. 
Fig. C terminates its cervix at unit 7; its thorax at 
unit 20a; its loins at unit 24 @; its sacro-caudal series at 
unit 32, by the same law of proportional metamorphosis. 
