CHAPTER V. 
Of the bones of the foot. (Tab. xxix.) Tarfus is compofed of levcn 
bones, the firft of which, called aftralagus, fupports the tibia, and is fup- 
ported by the os calcis, which being projected backwards makes a long 
lever for the mufcles to ad with that extend the ankle, and raife the body 
upon the toes. Thcle two bones have a confidcrable motion between 
thcmfelvcs, and the aftragalus alfo with the os navicularc, and all the reft 
an obfeure motion one with another, and with the bones of the meta- 
tarfus, the greateft part of thefe motions being towards the great toe, 
where is the greateft ftrels of action: Thefe bones thus giving way are lefs 
liable to be broke, and, as a Ipring under the leg, make the motions of the 
body in walking more eafy and graceful, and the bones which are fup- 
ported by them lefs fubjed to be fractured in violent actions. To thefe 
join five others called the metatarfal bones; that which fupports the great 
toe is much the largeft, there being the greateft ftrefs in walking; under 
the end of this lie the two fefamoid bones, which are of the feme ufc as 
the patella; the great toe has two bones, the Idler three each, the two 
laft of the leaft toes frequently grow together; for what remains fee the 
plate, which makes a farther defeription needlefs. 
