File:Animal and vegetable physiology, considered with reference to natural theology (1836) (14762407574).jpg

Identifier: animalvegetable01roge (find matches)
Title: Animal and vegetable physiology, considered with reference to natural theology
Year: 1836 (1830s)
Authors: Roget, Peter Mark, 1779-1869
Subjects: Biology Physiology Plant physiology Natural theology
Publisher: Philadelphia, Carey, Lea & Blanchard
Contributing Library: NCSU Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: NCSU Libraries

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the neck has been much elongated, that the muscles whichraise the head have been enlarged and strengthened, and thatthe spinous processes of the back and neck have been muchexpanded, in order to allow of suiFicient surface for the at-tachments of these muscles. The effort requisite to raise,and even support the head, is very considerable; as will ap-pear when we reflect that its weight acts by means of an ex-tremely long lever; for such is the mechanical office of theelongated neck. But, in order to economize the muscularpower, an elastic ligament is employed to sustain the weightof the head. This, which is termed the Ugamentum niichse,and is represented at n, in Fig. 217, is formed of a greatnumber of bands wiiich connect the hinder part of the cra-nium, at the ridge of the occipital bone, and all the spinousprocesses of the neck, with those of the back, the separateslips from each being successively joined together, and com-posing a ligament of great length and power. It differs, in
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its structure, from ordinary ligaments, being highly elastic,so that it yields to the extension of the neck when the animal RUMINANT QUADRUPEDS. 317 lowers its head, and gives considerable assistance to the mus-cles in raising it. In the deer and the ox, which toss tiieirheads with force, and especially in the males, which arearmed with antlers or horns, the muscles performing thosemotions are remarkably strong, and the spinous processes ofthe back particularly prominent. In the loins, on the con-trary, we find the transverse processes more enlarged, forthe purpose of giving a powerful mechanical purchase to themuscles which are inserted into them. The chest of ruminant quadrupeds is compressed laterally,in order to allow room for the unrestrained motions of theanterior extremity; and the sternum projects so as to resem-ble the keel of a ship. The bones of the anterior extremityare not joined to the rest of the skeleton by means of anybone corresponding to a clavicle; but they are con

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