70 VERTEBRATA : MAMMALIA. 



SUB-SECTION II. 

 THE ORDER OF BIMANA OR MAN. 



THE structure of Man is essentially the same in kind as 

 that of other mammals, differing only, or mainly, in de- 

 gree ; but the degrees of difference separate him widely 

 from all other mammals, and place him in an order by 

 himself, and far above all other members of the animal 

 kingdom. 



Man is the only animal to which the erect position is 

 natural ; his whole organization is perfectly adapted to 

 that attitude. His foot is broad and plantigrade ; that is, 

 the sole of the foot is placed flat upon the ground ; the leg 

 bears vertically upon the foot ; the toes are short, and all 

 on the same level, and the innermost toe is much the long- 

 est and cannot be opposed to the others ; the pelvis is 

 short and broad; the back-bone is in slight alternate 

 curves ; and the head is beautifully poised at the very sum- 

 mit of the structure. 



Man alone has one pair of limbs liberated wholly from 

 the function of mere locomotion, and made subservient 

 for higher purposes. 



The hand of man is superior in its structure and in its 

 functions to the corresponding member of any other ani- 

 mal. His hand has sometimes been called an intellectual 

 member ; for all that his mind can conceive, whether in 

 literature, invention, or art, his hand can express in visible 

 forms. The name Bimana comes from the Latin bis, twice, 

 and mamts, a hand. 



