Chap. IV. A N T I E N T M E T A P H Y S I G S. 49 



in the form of fome of the individuals of the fpecies, which is not 

 to be found in any other fpecies ; I mean the mixture of different 

 fpeciefes in the fame animal. And yet I think it is not unnatural, if 

 we confider how much his inward part or mind is compounded ; 

 for it confifts not only of the vegetable and the animal life, but of 

 the intelledual ; and if fo, I think it needs not be wondered, that 

 his nature fhould admit of a compofitlon Ilkewife, in his outward 

 form, of different fpeciefes of animals. 



As to the Cue and flature of men in the different ages and na- 

 tions, it would be indeed extraordinary, if in an animal, the moft va- 

 rious upon <:his earth, there was not found the common variety of 

 great and fmall, a variety which, I believe, is to be found in every 

 other animal on this earth. That fuch a variety does in fa£l exift in 

 our fpecies, I think I have proved beyond all doubt in the third vo- 

 lume of this work*, where I have (hewn, that not only in different 

 nations there is a great difference of fize, but in the fame nation in 

 different ages ; and that it is in the natural ftate that men are larger 

 in body, ftronger, and longer lived : And it is a truth of reafon 

 and phllofophy, as well as of fad and obfervation ; for the eafe, in- 

 dulgence, and luxury of the civilized life, together with the unna- 

 tural diet, and all thefe continued through many generations, muft ne- 

 ceflarily produce a great degeneiacy in the fize, ftrength, and longe- 

 vity of men ; unlefs we believe, that man could invent a way of 

 living more conducive to the health and ftrength of his body, than 

 that which God and Nature have deftined for him. If we fliould 

 not be convinced by the teftimony of profane authors, our facred " 

 books furnifh us demonflrative proof; for they tell us, that before 

 the Flood, when men lived upon vegetables, that is, upon the natu- 



VoL. IV. G ral 



" Page 1 3 J, and following* 



