CHAPTER III. 



RELATIONS BETWEEN EXTERNAL NATURE AND THE 

 PHYSICAL CONSTITUTION OF MAN. 



IN the examination of nature in her details, we 

 shall find innumerable instances of the adapta- 

 tions of means to ends, in matters so small, and 

 for purposes, minute indeed, but of such vital 

 importance, as are calculated to draw forth our 

 highest wonder and admiration ; but without at 

 this time entering on these, I shall content my- 

 self with making a few observations on the more 

 general adaptations of the external world to the 

 constitution of man the central point, as it 

 were, of corporeal existence, to which all others 

 are subordinate. 



And, first, the size of the objects around him 

 is calculated to harmonize with the medium size 

 of man. Had his body been much less than the 

 average size, or considerably larger, both ex- 

 tremes would have been equally unfitting for the 

 due exercise of the physical faculties. 



We have many fables of giants of prodigious 

 strength and altitude, but supposing such to exist, 

 it is highly probable that their bulk and weight, 

 in relation to our present laws of gravity, would 

 render them perfectly unwieldy and helpless. 



