^ 214 MAN. 



as an object of natural history, properly belongs. He is af- 

 ranged with the animals of this class, because he nearly re- 

 sembles them in structure and organs, though raised in reality 

 far above them by the" possession of intellectual and moral 

 powers almost infinitely superior. 



The structure of an animal is always found to correspond 

 to its character, mode of life, and food ; and those, there- 

 fore, which have a similar structure, resemble one another 

 to the same extent in other particulars. From the formation 

 of the anterior extremities of an animal, we may judge of the 

 degree of address of which he is capable, and of the kind 

 of motions he is able to perform ; and from the structure of 

 his teeth, what is the nature of his food. Thus, the fore-feet 

 ^ of animals may be either enveloped in hoofs, or armed with 

 claws, or furnished with slender nails ; and the perfection 

 of the sense of touch will be in proportion to the delicacy 

 of these organs respectively. Thus too, there are three 

 kinds of teeth ; the incisive or cutting teeth, the canine or 

 lacerating teeth, and the molar or grinding teeth ; but all 

 animals have not each of these kinds of teeth, nor are they 

 of the same shape and formation in all animals. 



It is principally from a regard to these parts, that natural- 

 ists have proceeded in the arrangement of this class of ani- 

 mals. The orders thus formed are nine in number. {Sec 

 Appendix.) Of the first order {Biman'a) man is the only 

 example. In point of adroitness, skill, and address, the 

 structure of his body and the faculties of his mind give him 

 great advantages over other animals. In consequence of his 

 erect position, he has the free use of his hands, and his arms 

 have unincumbered and various motions in every direction. 

 There are several distinct races of mankind inhabiting diffe- 

 rent portions of the earth, which differ one from another 

 more or less in form, in features, in complexion, and in cha- 

 racter. The cause of these varieties has never been satis- 

 factorily pointed out. They have been attributed to climate, 

 to situation, and to manner of life, but none of these circum- 

 stances appear sufficient to produce them, and we therefore 

 still remain in ignorance on the subject. But notwithstand- 

 ing the differences in man, he maintains every where a de- 

 cided rank, far above that of any other animal. He is the 

 only one which has the power of communicating its thoughts 

 and feelings by articulate speech ; the only one which can 



