INTRODUCTION * 
Xi 
These inequalities better serve for comminuting the 
food; but they become smooth with age; and* 
for this reason* old animals take a longer time to 
chew their food than such as are in the vigour 
of life. 
Their legs are not worse fitted than their teeth to 
their respective wants or enjoyments. In some 
they are made for strength only* and to support a 
vast unweildy frame* without much flexibility or 
beautiful proportion. Thus the legs of the ele~ 
pliant* the rhinoceros* and the sea-horse* resemble 
pillars ; were they made smaller* they would be 
unfit to support the body ; were they endowed with 
greater flexibility* or swiftness* they would be 
needless* as they do not pursue other animals for 
food ; and* conscious of their own superior 
strength, there are none that they deign to avoid. 
Deers, hares* and other creatures* that are to find 
safety only in flight* have their legs made entirely 
for speed ; they are slender and nervous. Were it 
not for this advantage* every carnivorous animal 
would soon make them a prey* and their races 
would be entirely extinguished. But* in the pre- 
sent state of Nature* the means of safety are ra~ 
ther superior to those of offence ; and the pursuing 
animal must owe success only to patience* perseve- 
ranee* and industry. The feet of some* Jh at live 
upon fish alone* are made for swimming. — The toes 
of the animals are joined together with mem- 
bratnes* being web-footed* like a goose or a duck* 
by which they swim with great rapidity, Th©f@. 
