6 FEET AND HANDS 



and the prince of all two-legged runners, the ostrich, 

 has got rid of one of the front toes also, retaining 

 only two. 



To a man who thinks, it is very interesting to 

 observe that beasts have been led along gradually 

 in the very same direction. All the common beasts, 

 such as cats, dogs, rats, stoats, and so on, have five 

 ordinary toes. On the hind feet there may be only 



four. But as 

 soon as we 

 come to those 

 that feed on 

 grass and 

 leaves, 

 standing or 

 walking all 

 the while, we 

 find that the 

 feet are shod 

 with hoofs 

 instead of 

 being tipped 

 with claws. 

 First the five 

 toes, though 



clubbed together, have each a separate hoof, as in 

 the elephant ; then the hippopotamus follows with 

 four toes, and the rhinoceros with practically three. 

 These beasts are all clodhoppers, and their feet are 

 hobnailed boots. The more active deer and all 



THESE BEASTS ARE ALL CLODHOPPERS, AND THEIR 

 FEET ARE HOBNAILED BOOTS. 



