218 JfATURAL THEOLOGY. 



IV. 



OF THE JOINTS. 



In comparing the skeleton with carpentry, or 

 any thing artificial that admits of comparison with 

 it, we remark that, in the bones, there is not a 

 straight line, or regular form, whether they serve 

 as a shaft, axle, or lever ; while, in the other, 

 every part is levelled and squared, or formed ac- 

 cording to some geometrical curve. This would 

 lead a superficial thinker to conclude that the 

 bones were formed irregularly, or without refer- 

 ence to principle ; but the consideration of by 

 Whom formed, leads to a review ; and a deeper 

 examination brings with it the conviction that the 

 curves, spines, and protuberances of the bones 

 are formed with a relation to the weight which 

 they bear, and the thrusts and twists to which 

 they are subjected in the diflferent motions of the 

 body. 



If we observe the various postures of a man at 

 any manual labour, or under a weight, or running, 

 or leaping, or wrestling, we shall be convinced 

 that no carpentry of the bones, formed upon geo- 

 metrical Hues or curves, could suit all this variety 

 of motion. No splicing, dovetaihng, cogging, or 

 any of all the various shapes into which the car- 



