149 



other animal has a brain so large in proportion to its 

 bulk 'as man. Concerning the prone posture of their 

 body we may observe two things; the parts ministering 

 thereto, and the use thereof. 



I. As to the parts, it is observable that in all these 

 creatures;- the legs are made exactly conformable to 

 their posture, as those of man are to his posture'; and 

 farther, that the legs and feet are always admirably 

 suited to the motion ami exercise of each animal. In 

 some they are made for strength, to support a vas't 

 unwieldy body ; as in the elephant, which being a 

 creature of such prodigious weight, has its legs accord- 

 ingly made like pillars. In others, they are made for 

 agility and swiftness. So decrs, hares, and several 

 other creatures, have their legs very slender, but 

 strong withal, and every way adapted for quick mo- 

 tion. In some, they are formed only for walk-ing and 

 running, in others for swimming too. Thus in the 

 feet of the otter, the toes are all conjoined with mem. 

 braues, as they are in geese and ducks. And in swim- 

 ming it is observable, that when the foot goes forward 

 in the water the toes are close, but when backward 

 they are spread out ; whereby they more forcibly 

 strike the water, and drive themselves forward. In 

 others, as moles, they are made for walking and dig- 

 ging, and in others for walking and {lying.* In some 

 they are made more weak for the plainer lands, in 

 others, stiff and less flexible, i for traversing ice and 

 dangerous precipices. In some they are shod with 

 rough and hard hoofs, in others with only a callous 

 skin.J In the latter, the feet are composed of toes; 



* The membranous wings of a bat are a prodigious deviation 

 from nature's ordinary way; and so is the Virginian flying-squirrel^ 

 whose skin is extended in the nature of wings between its fore-legs 

 and body. 



f The Eik has legs so stiff and inflexible, that they run on iee 

 without slipping. Ami this is the way they take in winter to save 

 themselves from the wolves. 



J The Goat, which generally dwells on mountains and roc\s, and 

 delights (D waikon narrow ridges, and to take great and seemingly 

 H 3 



