MENTAL AND CORPOREAL. 277 



But independently of his erect position, in what 

 animal do we observe such a variety of move- 

 ments to which his external structure in general 

 contributes, as in man? So much flexibility of 

 body, such an extension and contraction of bis 

 limbs, and so dignified a deportment in his whole 

 frame, when circumstances call forth the feeling 

 to produce it ? In the acquirements of dancing 

 and of fencing, in wrestling and in tumbling, in 

 his pugilistic attitudes, and in the evolutions he 

 can perform while under military exercise all 

 these diversities of actions and of attitudes, are 

 most amply illustrated; and though several may 

 be of little importance in themselves, yet, from 

 the capabilities of action they afford, they confer 

 great advantages in particular situations, where 

 his safety or the attainment of his object may 

 depend upon bodily exertions, or upon the diver- 

 sity of his attitudes and actions. 



In the movement of his extremities, man has 

 resources such as no animal in nature can imi- 

 tate. By one motion of his lower extremities, 

 assisted by his body, he can instantly face an 

 object or turn his back to it, meet it on one 

 side or the other, or alter his direction in any 

 way he pleases, within the space of one or two 

 seconds. He can walk longer upon the average 

 than any other animal ; and even in running, 

 contend the palm of victory with most of them, 

 for a few paces ; while in muscular strength, he 



