(From a cockal or die.

So called because it is shaped like the die used in ancient games). Ankle bone. Also called the sling bone; ballistae os; aristrios; talus; quatrio; tetroros; cavicula; cavilla; diabebos; peza, or first bone of the foot.

It is the upper bone of the foot, the tibia rests upon it; its upper and under side are covered with cartilage, and on its under side it articulates with the os calcis; the fore part of this bone is cartilaginous, and there it articulates with the os scaphoides. Some apply the term to the vertebrae of the neck. Homer, in his Odyssey, uses it in this sense.

Astragalus excapus, is a species of astragalus found in Hungary, said to be useful in syphilis. Two ounces of the dry root are boiled in three pints of water to a quart, which is to be taken daily.

Astragalus. Also a name for the liquorice vetch. See Orobus, and Glaux vulgaris legumi-nosa.

Astragalus aculeatus, astragalus massilie'n-sis, astragalus tragacantha albus. See Gummi Tragacantha.