3G 



iMAM>JALI.\. 



These are the hot-blooded fishes of the ancients, or the cetacea, which, 

 uniting to the vigour of the other Mammalia the advantage of being sus- 

 tained by the watery element, present to our wondering sight the most 

 gigantic of animals. 



ORDER L 



BIMANA. 



;Man forms but one genus, and that genus the only one of its order. 

 As his history is the more directly interesting to ourselves, and forms the 

 point of comparison to which we refer that of other animals, we will speak 

 of it more in detail. 



We will rapidly sketch every thing that is peculiar in each of his or- 

 ganic systems, amidst all that he shares in common with other Mammalia ; 

 we will examine the advantages he derives from these peculiarities over 

 other species ; we will describe the principal varieties of his race and their 

 distinguishing characters, and finally point out the natural order in which 

 his individual and social faculties are developed. 



Peculiar Conformation of Man. 



The foot of Man is very different from that of the Monkey; it is large; 

 the leg bears vertically upon it ; the heel is expanded beneath ; the toes 

 are short, and but slightly flexible ; the great toe, longer and larger than 

 the rest, is placed on the same line with, and cannot be opposed to them. 

 This foot, then, is peculiarly well adapted to support the body ; but cannot 

 be used for seizing or climbing, and as the hands are not calculated for 

 walking, Man is the only true bimanous and biped animal. 



The whole body of Man is arranged with a view to a vertical position. 

 His feet, as just mentioned, furnish him with a base more extensive than 

 that of any other of the Mammalia. The muscles which extend the foot 

 and thigh are more vigorous, whence proceeds the projection of the calf 

 and buttock ; the flexors of the leg are inserted higher up, which allows 

 full extension of the knee, and renders the calf more apparent. The 

 pelvis is wider, hence a greater separation of the thighs and feet, and that 

 pyramidal form of the body so favourable to equilibrium. The necks of 

 the thigh bones form an angle with the body of the bone, which increases 

 still more the separation of the feet, and augments the basis of the body. 

 Finally, the head in this vertical position is in equilibrium on the body, 

 because its articulation is exactly under the middle of its mass. 



Where he to desire it, Man could not, with convenience, walk on all 

 fours ; his short and nearly inflexible foot, and his long thigh, would bring 

 the knee to the ground ; his widely separated shoulders and his arms, too 

 far extended from the median line, would ill support the upper portion of 



