Animal and vegetable physiology, considered with reference to natural theology, by Peter Mark Roget .. . en recognise with tole-rable precision the analogous bones composingthe anterior extremities of a quadruped; such asthe scapula, clavicle, humerus, ulna, and two latter bones are very distinctly marked * The bony arches arising from the skull, which support thebranchise, or gills, have been considered as the bones correspond-ing to the ribs of terrestrial quadrupeds ; and if this view weretaken of them, it would tend to confirm the analogy of the cra-nial bones to the spinal v
Animal and vegetable physiology, considered with reference to natural theology, by Peter Mark Roget .. . en recognise with tole-rable precision the analogous bones composingthe anterior extremities of a quadruped; such asthe scapula, clavicle, humerus, ulna, and two latter bones are very distinctly marked * The bony arches arising from the skull, which support thebranchise, or gills, have been considered as the bones correspond-ing to the ribs of terrestrial quadrupeds ; and if this view weretaken of them, it would tend to confirm the analogy of the cra-nial bones to the spinal vertebrae. t Those anatomists who are fond of pursuing the theory ofanalogies, maintain that all these bones are merely developementsof certain ribs, proceeding from the spine in its anterior similar origin has been assigned to the pieces of bone to whichthe ventral fins are attached : but it is difficult to reconcile this 422 THE MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS. in the Lophius piscatorms, or Angler, as may beseen in Fig. 191, where b is the scapula; c, theclavicle ; u, the ulna ; and r, the radius. The. carpus may also be recognised in a chain ofsmall bones, w, interposed between the radiusand the Phalanges, z. In the Rai/ these pha-langes are very numerous, and each is dividedinto several pieces by regular articulations:these are shown in Fig. 192 : they are arrangedclose to one another in one plane, and form aneffectual base of support to the integument whichcovers them. The scapula, according to Cuvier,is sometimes detached from the rest of the ske-leton, and at other times connected with thespine : in most cases, however, it is suspended theory with the fact that these bones do not proceed from thespine, and are quite detached from the rest of the skeleton. Itis evident, therefore, that if they are to be considered as analo-gous to the bones of the hinder extremities in the mammalia,they are in a condition of very imperfect developement.
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