195 



no tipper-teeth, or no teeth at all, have three sto- 

 machs. For the meat which is first chewed, is easily 

 digested ; but that which is swallowed whole, require? 

 a stronger concoctive power. 



Fourthly, All the parts of the same animal are 

 adapted one to the other. So for instance, the length 

 of the neck is always proportioned to that of the 

 legs. Only the elephant has a short neck : for the 

 weight of his head and teeth, would to a long neck, 

 have been insupportable. But then he is provided 

 with a trunk, which abundantly supplies the defect. 

 In other beasts and birds, the neck is always com- 

 mensurate to the legs : so that they which have long 

 legs, have long necks, and they that have short legs, 

 short ones ; as may be observed in lizards of all kinds 

 and the king of them, the crocodile. And creatures 

 that have no legs, as they want no necks, so they 

 have none, as fishes. This equality between the 

 length of the neck and legs, is peculiarly seen in 

 beasts that feed on grass. Their legs and necks are 

 very near equal. Very near, I say, because the 

 neck must necessarily have some advantage ; for 

 it cannot hang u perpendicular, but must incline a 

 little. 



Moreover, as these creatures must hold their heads 

 down, for a considerable time together, which would 

 be very laborious and painful for the muscles, there- 

 fore on each side of the neck, nature has placed a 

 thick and strong ligament, capable of stretching and 

 shrinking again as need requires : this, which is vul- 

 garly called white leather, extends from the head (to 

 which, and the next vertebre of the neck it is fasten, 

 ed at that end) to the middle vertebre of the back, to 

 which it is knit at the other. And by the assistance 

 of this, they are able to hold the head in that posture 

 all day long. 



Fifthly, The parts of all animals are exactly fitted 

 to their manner of living. A notable instance of this 



