MAN. 17 



well as in speed, and destitute of natural means of defence, as 

 also of natural covering. Thus it will be seen that man, who, in 

 the social state,, is the lord of terrestrial creation, is naturally the 

 most helpless and weakest of all animals. 



Between man and the species next helow him, there existe 

 a wider difference than between any other two species which rank 

 next to each other in the animal kingdom. His hands, although 

 somewhat like those of the monkey, are more delicately and per- 

 fectly constructed; the thumb being larger; the fingers, with the 

 exception of the middle finger, possessed of the power of distinct 

 motion; and the nails presenting excellent points of support^ 

 which admit of his handling very small substances. His feet are 

 also different, having soles suited only to the purposes of loco- 

 motion, and not adapted to handling and grasping objects, as are 

 those of the ape. His head is larger, and his face smaller, ic 

 proportion to his size, than those of the monkey; and his ears, 

 eyes, as well as all his senses, are fitted only to the maintenance 

 of an erect posture in walking. His lower extremities being much 

 longer than the upper, he is unable to move about on all fours with 

 facility, and hence is compelled to adopt an upright position. For 

 these "reasons man is distinguished as a himanous or two-handed 

 animal, in contradistinction to apes, monkeys, and baboons, which 

 are known as quadrumanous, or four-handed animals. 



So numerous are the varieties which prevail among the 

 tribes of the human family, that some have been led to conclude 

 that they could not possibly have descended from one common 

 origin. But of this there is no satisfactory proof; and, although 

 we find distinct races of meii inhabiting different parts of the 

 woi ld,'and having no resemblance in form, features, complexion, 

 and character, yet the cause of these varieties is' an unsettled 

 question. They have been attributed to climate, to situation, to 

 . manner of life, etc. ; but, as none of these circumstances appear 

 sufficient to have produced them, we still, therefore, remain in 

 ignorance on the subject. 



If we compare the minute differences of mankind, there is 

 scarce one nation upon the earth that entirely resembles another 

 2* B 



