NUG.E ETHXOLOGICAi:. 227 



genus, has been mucli insisted on bj- some. Yet, uhcn we come to the 

 contemplation of different genera even this slight support to their theory- 

 must fail. 



In this view, the wide difference of structure and function wliich ex- 

 ists between man and all the rest of the animated creation, assumes an 

 immense importance, and it may be well for us to pause over them for a 

 moment. And first, it is worthy of remark, that by the general consent 

 of naturalists, man is placed in a separate order, in which he is the sole 

 species of the only genus. His characters are these: — stature erect; 

 two hands ; teeth approximated and of general length, the superior inci- 

 sors perpendicular ; chin prominent; rational; endowed with speech ; 

 unarmed. 



Man is the only animal that has hut two hands ; and hence the order 

 in which he is placed is called Bimanus. All otlier animals that possess 

 limbs arc either quadruped or quadrumanous. Tlie first conformation is 

 familiar to all in the ordinary domestic animals, and in the latter class 

 Ave have the monkeys. Tlie peculiar feature of a hand is the thumb, 

 an organ similar to the other fingers in its structure, but so articulated 

 as to admit of freer motion and of being opposed to the palm. The 

 great toe, on the contrary, is joined firmly to the ankle, and has less mo- 

 tion than any other, being intended principally for the support of the 

 body. It is from the mode of articulation of the thumb that the hand 

 derives its power of grasping and pickijig up substances. When quad- 

 rupeds would hold an object, without the aid of the mouth, they must 

 use both fore-paws, as the squirrel, or press it between the food and the 

 ground, as the dog. The monkey, on the contrary, can perform all the 

 motions of the human hand with either of his four extremities. This 

 conformation is admirably suited to his mode of life, enabling him to 

 climb trees and spring from branch to branch with ease and safety. — 

 Monkeys live entirely in the woods, and cannot run with much speed 

 upon the ground en either two or four limbs. Man possesses two per- 

 fect hands and two perfect feet, neither of which can perform the func- 

 tions of the others. His feet differ from those of quadrupeds principally 

 in the size and strength of the heel, which supports the greater part of 

 the weight of the body, instead of its resting on the extremity of the 

 bone of the foot. By this means he is enabled to walk with as much 

 firmness and facility as the four-footed animals. A larger base is gained 

 for the body, and there are in the sole of each foot two distinct joints of 

 motion. The body at rest is supported on the heel. In walking, tlie 

 heel is raised by the muscles of the calf and the weight throvt'n forward 

 on the ball of the foot. The heel of the other foot then touches the 



