BIMANA. 7 



former depends on the number and pliability of the 

 fingers, and on the extent to which they are covered 

 by the nail or hoof. The nature of the food is shown 

 by the form of the grinders, with which the motion 

 of the jaw always corresponds. In those which eat 

 flesh, the grinders are as trenchant as a pair of shears, 

 and the jaws have only a vertical motion, opening and 

 shutting. In those which eat vegetables, the grinders 

 have flat crowns, and the jaws have a lateral or grind- 

 ing motion, the surfaces of the teeth being rubbed 

 together. Animals which have the toes enclosed in 

 a hoof are vegetable feeders, as they are unable to 

 seize prey ; but all whose toes are free are not flesh- 

 eaters. In these there is much variety in the nature 

 of their food, and they differ greatly in the freedom, 

 pliability, and delicacy of their toes. In some we see 

 a thumb diverging from, and capable of being op- 

 posed to, the extremities of the other fingers, form- 

 ing a true hand: this modification vastly increases 

 the powers of the limb, and very materially affects 

 the habits of its possessors. It is most perfectly de- 

 veloped in Man, and has been used to characterise his 

 position in the system of Nature, considered as an 

 animal ; of which we shall merely say, that his zoolo- 

 gical character consists in his having hands on the 

 anterior extremities only. 



ORDER I. BIMANA.* 



And God having " made of one blood all the 

 nations of men," his single species occupies the whole 

 order, and we proceed at once to Order II. 

 * Bis, twice, and manus, a hand. 



