CHAPTER VI. 
from the fifth bone to the eighth, and the procefs of the fourth bone: 
the proper uieoi- this is, to bind down the tendons of the mufcles that 
bend the fingers. 
The procellus dentatus bf the fecond vertebra (Tab. xxxviii.) is tied to 
the fcul l by a ligament, and kept clofe to the forepart of the firfi vertebra 
by another in that vertebra, that it may not bruife the fpinal marrow; and 
when either this ligament or procefs is broke, it makes that fort of broken 
neck which is attended with fudden death. All the bones of the verte¬ 
bra:, and every joint that is without motion, and not joined by a future, 
as the ofla innominata with each other, and the os facrum with the ofla 
innominata, arc joined by intervening ligaments, or (as they are com¬ 
monly called) cartilages. The ofla innominata are alfo tied by very firong 
ligaments which run from the back parts of the fpines of the ofia ilia to 
the os facrum, (Tab. xxxix.) and other ligaments which go from the os 
facrum and os coccygis to the acute and obtule proccfles of the ofia if- 
chia: thefc ligaments ferve alfo for origins of mufcles. Towards the great 
foramen of the ofla innominata the acetabulum has a deep notch, from 
the one fide to the other of which runs a ligament which compleats the 
focket; this ligament is fometimes offified: a ligament lomewhat like 
this, there is between the procefies of the fcapula. 
From the edge of the ilium to that of the os pubis, runs a ligament 
which is contiguous to, and appears to be a part of the tendons of the 
mufcles of the abdomen; its ufe is to cover the iliack veflels as they de- 
feend to the thigh: under this ligament, together with the veflels, I 
have often feen a rupture of matter, and, I think, fometimes of the gut, 
from the abdomen into the anterior part of the thigh, immediately be¬ 
low the groin; however, I dare affirm this to be a poflible cafe. 
It is generally agreed, that the ligaments are infenfiblc; and the reafon 
afligned is, that they would elfe be injured by ordinary motions. But they 
are much better contrived, feeing none of them, not even thofe which 
lie between the vertebra:, are fubjeCt to attrition; but the other experience 
fhews arc capable of very acute pains, there being not any thing our pa¬ 
tients more grievoufly complain of, than collections of matter within 
thefe parts, or (harp medicines applied to them when laid bare. 
Every joint, where the bones are faced with a cartilage for a Hiding mo¬ 
tion, is furnifiied with fmall glands, which feparate a mucilaginous matter 
for the lubricating of the ends of the bones, that they may move eafily 
upon one another; and that there may be no wafle of this neceflary fluid, 
it is contained in the invefling ligaments; which for this very reafon 
