Dr. Baillie’s Account, &c. 
3S 1 
THERE is nothing which tends more to illuftrate the 
powers and the wifidom of nature than the inveftigation of the 
ftrudture of animals. We there find a moft wonderful deli- 
cacy of mechanifm, and exquifitely adapted to a variety of 
purpofes. This, however, is not to be better feen by following 
nature in her common tra£l than by obferving her wanderings. 
In thefe fhe often {hews more particularly the extent of her 
powers, and throws light on her ordinary plaits. It is fuch 
circumftances which give importance or value to the obferva- 
tion of fingular phaenomena. The variety in animal ftrudfure, 
an account of which I have the honour of prefenting to this 
learned Society, is a complete tranfpofition in the human fub- 
jedl of the thoracic and abdominal vifeera to the oppofite fide 
from what is natural. 
It is fo extraordinay as fcarcely to have been feen by any of 
the moft celebrated anatomifts, and indeed has been but very 
generally noticed at all. The circumftance has been men- 
tioned, but it has not been particularly deferibed fo as to make 
it thoroughly known, or to eftablilh its certainty; It was 
hanging in the minds of many as doubtful, whether fuch a 
variety did really exift. There is one circumftance that attends 
the account of the prefent cafe, which has not always hap- 
pened in the record of fingular phaenomena, viz. that it has 
been examined by phyficians and furgeons of the firft reputa- 
tion in this large town, and has been in fome meafure open to 
the gratification of public curiofity. Such a circumftance (were 
it neceflary) .would give the ftamp of authenticity to appear- 
ances even much farther removed from the ordinary plans of 
nature. 
I have 
