ORDER RIMANA. 83 



keys : it is large ; the leg holds a vertical or rectan- 

 gular position in relation to it; the heel is consi- 

 derably expanded underneath; the toes are short, 

 and possess but little flexibility; the great toe, longer 

 and larger than the others, is situated on the same 

 level that they are, and cannot be opposed to them 

 in the manner of the thumb of the hand. The foot 

 is peculiarly adapted for the support of the body 

 erect, but is entirely unfit for the purposes of grasp- 

 ing or climbing. The hands, on the contrary, are 

 not calculated for the operations of walking or sup- 

 porting the body. Man, therefore, is the only biped 

 and bimanous animal. 



The body of man is altogether arranged and con* 

 formed with a view to its natural erect position. 

 His feet, as just observed, furnish a larger and 

 firmer basis than those of any other animal. The 

 muscles which hold the foot and thigh in an extended 

 state are extremely vigorous, whence proceeds the 

 projection of the calf, and of the buttock. The 

 flexors of the leg are attached very high, which 

 allows a greater means of extension to the knee, and 

 apparent prominence to the calf. The pelvis is 

 large, hence a greater separation of the legs and 

 thighs, and a sort of pyramidical form to the trunk 

 favourable to equilibrium. The neck of the thigh 

 bones form an angle with the body of the bone, 

 which increases still more the separation of the lower 

 extremities, and enlarges the basis of the whole 

 frame. Lastly, the head, in his vertical position, is 



in a state of equilibrium on the trunk of the body, 



G 2 



