The hand : its mechanism and vital endowments, as evincing design, and illustrating the power, wisdom, and goodness of God . oticed; they are not connected with a moveableradius, and have no individual motion, as in the carni-vorous animal—they serve merely to expand the foot, andgive to the broad base of the column a certain elasticity. CHAP. III. ELEPHANT AND CAMEL. 101 In the sketch (page 62) I have placed the bones ofthe anterior extremity of the camel, in contrast withthose of the elephantc The camels foot having nosuch disproportionate weight to bear as that of theelephant, hghtness of m
The hand : its mechanism and vital endowments, as evincing design, and illustrating the power, wisdom, and goodness of God . oticed; they are not connected with a moveableradius, and have no individual motion, as in the carni-vorous animal—they serve merely to expand the foot, andgive to the broad base of the column a certain elasticity. CHAP. III. ELEPHANT AND CAMEL. 101 In the sketch (page 62) I have placed the bones ofthe anterior extremity of the camel, in contrast withthose of the elephantc The camels foot having nosuch disproportionate weight to bear as that of theelephant, hghtness of motion is secured by the obliquedirection of its bones, as well as by the position of thebones of the shoulder, which we have already there is much to admire besides in the foot of thecamel; although the bottom be flat and hard, like thesole of a shoe, yet, between the tendons and the hornysole, a cushion is interposed, so soft and elastic, thatthe animal treads with the greatest lightness andsecurity. The resemblance of the foot of the ostrich to that ofthe camel has not escaped naturalists.^ In the bird,. B SOLE OF THE OSTEICHS FOOT. the same softness and pliancy of the sole are providedfor by means resembling those in the quadruped ; butby another adaptation of the frog or elastic pad. We orn * A, the frog or elastic pad in the ostrichs foot. B, processes from the hor cuticle, disposed like the hair of a brush, and forming an adhesive and elasticsole. 102 CLAWS OF THE CANIXE AND FELIXE TEIBES. chap. m. also have our pads; the best, thougli not the only,example of which is in the heel: the elastic structureinterposed between the bone of the heel and the integu-ment, is neither ligamentous, nor cartilaginous, norfatty, but a happy union of all; elastic fibres are sointerwoven with the softer matter, that the cushiongradually yields to our weight, and rises as we Attending still to the last bones of the fingers; letme point out once more how much may be acco
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjecthand, bookyear1874
