236 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



least, after the vital actions would have ceased 

 through the muscles, had there been no such 

 structure. 



The great physiologist w^hom we have already 

 mentioned, John Hunter, taught that v^^hen one 

 part performed tvv^o functions, there was necessa- 

 rily an imperfection. We have now the most suita- 

 ble opportunity of controverting that position : for 

 this texture of the thorax is subservient to many 

 different functions. There is no imperfection 

 evinced in the organ of smelling, because in order 

 to draw in the odoriferous effluvia and make them 

 pass over the olfactory nerve, we use the lungs. 

 Nor do we experience any material interference 

 with respiration, because we enjoy the power of 

 speech through an impulse given to the air in ex- 

 piration. Further, let us attend to the form and 

 expansion of the chest as conducive to the motion 

 and strength of the arm and hand. The motions 

 of the superior extremity result from muscles 

 which lie upon the chest ; and were it not for the 

 expansion of the chest, from the contained atmos- 

 pheric air, these muscles would not act with suffi- 

 cient power, or a substitute must have been found 

 either of projecting bones, or of some solid texture, 

 to afford lodgement and attachment to these mus- 

 cles. 



Then, again, considering man in his natural con- 

 dition, the chances of life would run against him 

 if he were incapable of floating upon water, or if 

 the atmospheric air in his body were not anterior 



