OF NATURAL HISTORY. si 



tween the incifion and the fpinal marrow, which is a continuation 

 of the brain, retain their ufual degrees both of motion and of fen- 

 fation. From this experiment, it is evident, that the nerves are the 

 organs by which fenfation and motion are efFeifled, and that, for 

 thefe important purpofes, an uninterrupted connedion between any 

 particular nerve and the brain, or fpinal marrow, is indifpenfible. 



This (ketch of the human fabric requires an apology to anatomi- 

 cal readers, who muft be fenfible of its many imperfedlions. To 

 perfons who have not ftudied that curious and ufeful fcience, I ima- 

 gined a general view of the flrudture of man, if properly compofed, 

 might enable them to acquire more diftind: ideas of the m.my Teem- 

 ing deviations from the common plan obferved by Nature in the 

 formation of the inferior and more imperfedt animals. 



OF THE STRUCTURE OF QUADRUPEDS. 



Having delineated the ftrudure and organs of the human fpeciesj 

 it is worthy of remark, that the intelled, or fagacity, of inferior 

 animals augments or diminifhes in proportion as the formation of 

 their bodies approaches to, or recedes from, that of man. Qundru- 

 peds, accordingly, are more intelligent than birds ; the fagacity of 

 birds exceeds that of fifhes ; and the dexterity and cunning of fifh- 

 es are fuperior to thofe of moft of the infect tribes. The fame gra- 

 dation of mental powers is exhibited in different fpecies of the fame 

 clafles of animals. The form of the orang outang makes the near- 

 eft approach to the human; and the arts he employs for his defence, 

 the adtions he performs, and the fagacity he difcovers, are fo afto- 

 nifliing, that fome philofophers have confidered him as a real hu- 

 man being in the moft debafed ftage of fociety. Next to the orang 



outang, 



