MKGATHEKIUM, 
157 
<^llows also tliat the abdominal cavity was ex- 
tremely large, and the viscera voluminous, and 
apted to the digestion of vegetable food. 
The form and proportions of the thigh bone, (v) 
are not less extraordinary than those of the 
pevis, being nearly three times the thickness 
« the femur of the largest Elephant. Its 
readth is nearly half its entire length, and its 
head ,s muted to the body of the bone by a 
neck ot unusual shortness and strength, twenty- 
two inches in circumference. Its length is two 
feet four inches, and its circumference at the 
sma est part two feet two inches ; and at the 
argest part, three feet two inches. Its body is 
a feo attened ; and by means of this flatness, 
expanded outwards to a degree of which Nature 
presents no other example. These peculiarities 
, ^PP^ar to be subservient to a 
<iouble purpose: first, to give extraordinary 
^ rength by the shortness and solidity of all its 
proportions; and secondly, to afford compensa- 
'ou, by Its flatness outwards; for the debility 
vhich would otherwise have followed from the 
jn ward position of the sockets, (t,) by which the 
war, (u,) articulates with the pelvis. 
tri** ^ y') »'■« ex- 
St ^ slrort, and on a scale of solidity and 
rength, commensurate with that of the femur 
*eit rests upon them. This strength is much 
increased by their being united at both extre- 
mities ; an union which is said by Cuvier to 
