556 ' PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1700-1. 



and others tliat live upon grass, &c. to be much alike. If therefore we cannot 

 make a conclusion from the structure of the stomach, what food is most na- 

 tural to an animal, much less can we from the colon, or the caecum, being 

 parts of the alimentary duct, that are remote from the stomach ; and seem ra- 

 ther as a sewer for the reception of the faeces. 



There would be no end in expatiating on nature's great variety, in the forma- 

 tion of the structure of this alimentary duct in different animals ; and even 

 where we may observe much the same sort of food, yet we do not always find 

 the same structure, tiiough her intention be the same in all, viz. to digest the 

 food, distribute the chyle, and eject the faeces. But herein she shews her 

 great wisdom, in attaining the same end different ways. Had chance any con- 

 cern herein, we should not observe that constant regularity in the same species, 

 nor variety in different, where tlie action is so much the same. 



Since man therefore has all kinds of teeth, fit for preparation of all sorts of 

 food, before it be conveyed to the stomach ; and this last organ is also adapted 

 to digest all sorts of food ; I should rather think, that nature did intend he 

 should live upon all ; or at least is so bountiful, as not to deny him any, or stint 

 him to one sort only ; as in the text you have quoted. Gen. 9, v. 3, Every 

 moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you ; even as the green herb have I 

 given you all things. 



But perhaps you may expect I should give you some instances in brutes, 

 where it does not hold, that all carnivorous animals have no colon nor caecum, 

 though, as to man, the case may be very different. Now the carigueya, or 

 opossum, has a long colon, though not cellulated, and a large caecum, that 

 receives all the faeces as they pass down ; yet this animal feeds on poultry and 

 birds, and other flesh. On the other hand, the hedge-hog, that has no colon 

 nor caecum, and therefore by your rule, should be carnivorous, feeds on roots, 

 fruits, herbs, &c. and not on flesh. Hogs likewise, that have both a colon 

 and caecum, will feed upon flesh greedily enough, when they can meet with it, 

 though their ordinary food be of another kind. And a rat and mouse, that 

 have a large caecum, but no colon, feed upon bacon, as well as bread and 

 cheese. Your observation therefore as to brutes, though it may hold for the 

 most part true^ yet is not universal ; and like all other rules, may have some 

 exceptions. 



Abstract of a second Letter of Dr. Wallis to Dr. Tyson, on i/te sanie Subject. 

 Dated Jan. 23, I70I. N"" 269, p. 783. 



Upon the whole, I find your sentiments to be much the same with mine. I 

 am inclined to think that all nations, both before and since the flood, have used 



