CHAPTER 1 4 



HOUSING — SKIN AND ITS DERIVATIVES 



MAN: A TYPICAL MAMMAL largest or the smallest mammal, nor is he 



highly specialized when compared to the 



The gradual evolution of animals has whale, for example. In fact, he is a rather 



been discussed in the preceding chapters mediocre mammal, being poorly endowed 



and considerable time has been spent on with organs of offense and defense. His 



each group so that a working knowledge puny, flat finger nails and short canine teeth 



of their anatomy and physiology was cov- are no match for the claw and tooth of the 



ered. In studying the last group of animals, tiger or lion. His hide is not thick, like that 



we have selected man as a typical mammal, of the elephant or whale, and it is com- 



A study of the rat, cat, guinea pig, or dog pletely unprotected by hair, the normal 



would afford no more information than that coat for most mammals. He has no horny 



of the human body and for the readers of outgrowths for defense, like the ungulates, 



this book certainly no more interest. and even his locomotor appendages are 



Man is quite a typical mammal, unusual only fairly effective in getting him out of 



only in the size of his brain. He is not the danger. 



365 



