SECTION I. 



DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN MAN AND ANIMALS; 

 OR SPECIFIC CHARACTERS OF MAN. 



CHAPTER II. 



Tlie Erect Attitude of Man, and consequent Peculiarities in the 

 Structure of the Lower Limbs, Thorax, Spine, and Pelvis. 



In the external conformation of man we immediately re- 

 mark his upright stature ; that majestic attitude, which an- 

 nounces his superiority over all the other inhabitants of the 

 globe. He is the only being adapted by his organization to 

 go erect. Enslaved to their senses, and partaking merely 

 of physical enjoyments, other animals have their heads di- 

 rected towards the earth : 



QutG natura prona, atque ventri obedientia finxit. 



Man, whose more elevated nature is connected to surround- 

 ing objects by moral relations, who can pursue the concate- 

 nations of causes and effects, and embrace in his mind the 

 system of tlie universe, boldly regards the heavens, and can 

 direct his sight even into the starry regions. The contrast, 

 so finely expressed by the poet, is therefore quite correct in 

 fact : 



Pronaque cum spectent anlmalia cetera terrain, 

 Os horaini sublime dedit ; ccclumque tucri 

 Jussit; ct erectos ad sidera toUere vultus. 



I propose to prove that the erect stature is suited to the 

 organization of the human subject; and that it Is exclu- 

 sively peculiar to man. 



It might appear a sufficient proof of the upright attitude 

 and biped progression being natural to our species, that 

 such has been the invariable practice of all nations in all 

 ages of the world 3 — that no people, no tribe, nor even any 



