464 O F M A N H O O D. 



The anterior parts of the cheft, in women, is 

 more elevated, and its diameter larger, than in 

 men ; but the chefts of the latter are propor- 

 tionally broader. The haunches of women are 

 likewife larger than thofe of men ; becaufe the 

 haunch-bones of women, and thofe which join 

 them and compofe the pelvis, are proportionally 

 larger. Thefe diiferences in the ftrudure of the 

 cheft and pelvis are fo perceptible, that it is eafy, 

 by this criterion, to diftinguifh the fkeleton of a 

 woman from that of a man. 



There are great varieties in the length of men. 

 Thofe are faid to be tall who are from five feet 

 eight inches to fix feet high. The middle fta- 

 ture is from five feet five to five feet eight ; 

 and thofe who fall below thefe dimenfions are 

 faid to be of fmall ftature. "Women, in general, 

 are two or three inches below the ftandard of 

 men. Of giants and dwarfs, notice fhall be 

 taken in another place. 



Though the human body be externally more 

 delicate, it is, however, very nervous, and per- 

 haps ftronger, for its fize, than the moft robuft 

 quadruped. In comparing the force of a lion 

 to that of a man, it ought to be confidered, that 

 the lion is armed with teeth and talons; and that 

 thefe dreadful weapons convey a falfe idea of 

 real ftrength. The arms which man has recei- 

 ved from Nature are not ofTenfive ; aad happy 

 had it been if art had never put into his 



hands 



