SUB-CLASS I. PLACENTALIA.
ORDER I. QUADRUMANA.
(Four-handed animals.)
Although in the outward appearance of the animals which constitute this Order, as well as in their anatomical structure, there is a considerable resemblance to Man, it is not nearly so great as is commonly supposed ; and a minute examination shows us that even these highest forms of the brute creation are separated by a vast interval from him to whom was originally delegated the dominion over them all.
The whole conformation of Man displays that an erect posttion is proper to him, and that he can mever maintain any other. The skull, nearly _ globose, rests on the spinal column, almost in an even balance; while the face, containing the chief organs of sense, occupies its frontal portion. The spine itself, enlarging to the lower extremity, is there connected with the pelvis, the form, strength, position, and broad expanse of which adapt it to support the superincumbent weight of the trunk ; and this weight is now, by a beautiful mechanism, transmitted to the posterior extremities, which in the form of nearly perpendicular pillars, pursue the same general line of direction as the trunk. The articulations of the bones of the leg, both at its upper and lower extremities, are so constituted as to compel a
