86 



trn undue compression of the vessels by the weight of 

 the body. The legs and thighs are like stately co- 

 lumsis, so articulated that they are commodious for 

 walking, a-id yet do not obstruct the easy posture of 

 sitting. The legs swell out towards the top with a 

 genteel projection, and are neatly wrought off toward 

 the bottom : a variation which lessens their bulk, while 

 it increases their beauty. 



The ribs, turned into a regular arch, are gently 

 moveable, for the act of respiration. They form a 

 safe lodgment for the lungs and heart, some of the 

 mos important organs of ii'e. The back-bone is de- 

 signed not only to strengthen the body, and - sustaia 

 its most capacious store rooms, but also to bring 

 down the continuation of the brain, usually termed 

 the spinal marrow. It both conveys a*id guards this 

 silver cord, as Solomon terms it, aad by commodious 

 outlets transmits it to all pa. ts, H ;d it btjen only 

 strait and hollow, it might have served these purposes. 

 But then the loins must have been inflexible : to avoid 

 which, it consists of very short boues, knit together 

 by cartilages. This peculiarity of structure gives it 

 the pliancy of an osier, With the firmness of an oak. 

 By this means it is capable of various inflection*, with- 

 out bruising the soft marrow, or diminishing that 

 strength which is necessary to support ail the upper 

 stories. Such & formation in any other ot the solids, 

 must have occasioned great inconvenience. Here 

 it is unspeakably useful, a master-piece of creating 

 skill. 



The arms are exactly proportioned to each other, 

 to preserve the equilibrium of the structure. These 

 feeing the guards that defend, and the ministers that 

 serve the whole body, are fitted for the most diversi- 

 fied and extensive operations : firm with bone, yet 

 not weighty with flesh, and capable of performing all 

 useful motions. They bend inwards and turn outward's; 

 they move upward or downward; they wheel about hi 

 whatever direction we please. To these aic added th# 



