MASTICATION. 115 



tion with those of other animals, we may remark in the 

 first place, that man has neither the canine instruments 

 of the carnivora, nor the cropping incisors of the her- 

 bivorous tribes. Neither are his grinders pointed like 

 the first, or smooth and extended on the surface like the 

 last. But notwithstanding the want of those prominent, 

 and decisive features, by which the teeth point out in so 

 remarkable a manner, the kind of subsistence to which 

 each class of other animals is confined, still this very 

 want of coincidence, is a decided characteristic of the 

 habits, and propensities of man with respect to his 

 food. 



Having neither the instruments which are best fitted 

 for tearing raw flesh, nor those which are proper for 

 cropping grass, his organs of mastication are intermedi- 

 ate between these, and are better constructed than 

 either, for the breaking down of semi-hard bodies, or 

 those of moderate cohesion. In the mild, or savage 

 state, the teeth of man would hardly be sufficient for 

 the services which we might suppose would be required 

 of them ; though in this, as in other cases, the organs 

 concerned would undoubtedly be strengthened in some 

 proportion to the power required ; hence the masticat- 

 ing muscles of savages, who take their food without 

 cooking, are far more powerful than ours. It is clear, 

 however, that the masticating organs of man were not 

 intended for such a mode of life, but on the contrary, 

 that the Creator designed that he should employ a por- 

 tion of his faculties in modifying and preparing the 

 natural productions of the earth for his food. This is 

 proved most clearly from the structure both of his mas- 

 ticating, and digestive organs. 



It is true that man in his natural or savage state, has 

 the power of digesting many substances, in the con- 

 dition of natural productions, and this habit, though 

 necessity may be acquired by the most civilized. There 

 are also certain vegetables, as ripe fruits, which, in their 

 natural condition, are of easy digestion, and are coveted 



How do our teeth compare with those of other animals 1 Are the 

 teeth of man constructed to take food in its natural state 1 What is the 

 conclusion ? 



