THE G-ENERAL STRUCTURE. 127 



CHAPTER XI. 



OF THE ANIMAL STRUCTURE REGARDED AS A 



MASS. 



Contemplating an aiiimal body in its collective cd^ 

 pacity, we cannot forget to notice what a number of instru- 

 ments are brought together, and often within how small a 

 compass. It is a cluster of contrivances. In a canary-bird, 

 for instance, and in the single ounce of matter which com- 

 poses his body — but which seems to be all employed — we 

 have instruments for eating, for digesting, for nourishment, 

 for breathing, for generation, for running, for flying, for see- 

 ing, for hearing, for smelling : each appropriate — each en- 

 tirely different from all the rest. 



The human or indeed the animal frame, considered as a 

 mass or assemblage, exhibits in its composition three prop- 

 erties, which have long struck my mind as indubitable evi- 

 dences not only of design, but of a great deal of attention 

 and accuracy in prosecuting the design. 



I. The first is, the exact correspondency of the two sides 

 of the same animal : the right hand answering to the left, 

 leg to leg, eye to eye, one side of the countenance to the 

 other ; and with a precision, to imitate which in any toler- 

 able degree, forms one of the difficulties of statuary, and 

 requires, on the part of the artist, a constant attention to 

 this property of his work distinct from every other. 



It is the most difficult thing that can be to get a wdg 

 made even ; yet how seldom is the face awry. And what 

 care is taken that it should not be so, the anatomy of its 

 bones demonstrates. The upper part of the face is composed 

 of thirteen bones, six on each side, answering each to eacli, 

 and the thirteenth, without a fellow, in the middle. The 

 lower part of the face is in like manner composed of six 

 bones, three on each side, respectively corresponding, and 

 the lower jaw in the centre. In building an arch, could 



