06 MAMMALIA. 
These are the hot-blooded fishes of the ancients, or the cETACEA, which, 
uniting to the vigour of the other Mammalia the advantage of being sus- 
tained by the watery element, present to our wondering sight the most 
gigantic of animals. 
ORDER I. 
——— 
BIMANA. 
Maw forms but one genus, and that genus the only one of its order. 
As his history is the more directly interesting to ourselves, and forms the 
point of comparison to which we refer that of other animals, we will speak 
of it more in detail. 
We will rapidly sketch every thing that is peculiar in each of his or- 
ganic systems, amidst all that he shares in common with other Mammalia; 
we will examine the advantages he derives from these peculiarities over 
other species; we will describe the principal varieties of his race and their 
distinguishing characters, and finally point out the natural order in which 
his individual and social faculties are developed. 
Peculiar Conformation of Man. 
The foot of Man is very different from that of the Monkey; it is large; 
the leg bears vertically upon it; the heel is expanded beneath; the toes 
are short, and but slightly flexible; the great toe, longer and larger than 
the rest, is placed on the same line with, and cannot be opposed to them. 
This foot, then, is peculiarly well adapted to support the body; but cannot 
be used for seizing or climbing, and as the hands are not calculated for 
walking, Man is the only true bimanous and biped animal. : 
The whole body of Man is arranged with a view to a vertical position. 
His feet, as just mentioned, furnish him with a base more extensive than 
that of any other of the Mammalia. The muscles which extend the foot 
and thigh are more vigorous, whence proceeds the projection of the calf 
and buttock; the flexors of the leg are inserted higher up, which allows 
full extension of the knee, and renders the calf more apparent. The 
pelvis is wider, hence a greater separation of the thighs and feet, and that 
pyramidal form of the body so favourable to equilibrium. The necks of 
the thigh bones form an angle with the body of the bone, which increases 
still more the separation of the feet, and augments the basis of the body. 
Finally, the head in this vertical position is in equilibrium on the body, 
because its articulation is exactly under the middle of its mass. 
Where he to desire it, Man could not, with convenience, walk on all 
fours; his short and nearly inflexible foot, and his long thigh, would bring 
the knee to the ground; his widely separated shoulders and his arms, too 
far extended from the median line, would ill support the upper portion of 
