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Physico-theology

Chapter 61: CHAP. III.
By W. Derham
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About This Book

A series of sixteen sermons presents a physico-theological demonstration of God's existence and attributes by examining natural phenomena. The author combines natural-history observations, microscopy, and philosophical argument to infer design and divine qualities from created order, addressing objections and drawing on earlier naturalists' findings. Sermon text is interwoven with extended notes and curious observations on plants, animals, geological forms, and the mechanics of living structures. The work aims to make empirical knowledge serve theological ends by showing how observable features of nature support claims about a creator's power, wisdom, and benevolence.

CHAP. III.

Of the Necks of Quadrupeds.

From the Head pass we to the Neck, no principal Part of the Body, but yet a good Instance of the Creator’s Wisdom and Design, inasmuch as in Man it is short, agreeable to the Erection of his Body; but in the Four-footed Tribe it is long, answerable to the Length of the Legs[a], and in some of these long, and less strong, serving to carry the Mouth to the Ground; in others shorter, brawny and strong, serving to dig, and heave up great Burdens[b].

But that which deserves especial Remark, is that peculiar Provision made in the Necks of all, or most granivorous Quadrupeds, for the perpetual holding down their Head in gathering their Food, by that strong, tendinous and insensible Aponeurosis, or Ligament[c] braced from the Head to the middle of the Back. By which means the Head, although heavy, may be long held down without any Labour, Pain, or Uneasiness to the Muscles of the Neck, that would otherwise be wearied by being so long put upon the Stretch.

FOOTNOTES:

[a] It is very remarkable, that in all the Species of Quadrupeds, this Equality holds, except only the Elephant; and that there should be a sufficient special Provision made for that Creature, by its Proboscis or Trunk. A Member so admirably contrived, so curiously wrought, and with so great Agility and Readiness, applied by that unwieldy Creature to all its several Occasions, that I take it to be a manifest Instance of the Creator’s Workmanship. See its Anatomy to Dr. A. Moulen’s Anat. of the Elephant, p. 33. As also in Mr. Blair’s Account in Phil. Trans. Nᵒ. 326.

Aliorum ea est humilitas ut cibum terrestrem rostris facilè contingant. Quæ autem altiora sunt, ut Anseres, ut Cygni, ut Grues, ut Cameli, adjuvantur proceritate collorum. Manus etiam data Elephantis, qui propter magnitudinem corporis difficiles aditus habebant ad pastum. Cic. de N. D. L. 2. c. 47.

Quod iis animalibus quæ pedes habent fissos in digitos, Collum brevius sit factum, quàm ut per ipsum Cibum ori admovere queant: iis verò quæ ungulas habent solidas, aut bifidas, longius, ut prona atque inclinantia pasci queant. Qui id etiam opus non sit Artificis utilitatis memoris? Ad hæc quòd Grues at Ciconiæ, cùm crura haberent longiora, ob eam causam Rostrum etiam magnum, & Collum longius habuerint. Pisces autem neque Collum penitus habuere, utpote qui neque Crura habent. Quo pacto non id etiam est admirandum? Galen. de Us. part. L. 11. c. 8.

[b] As in Moles and Swine, in Ch. 2. Note (a).

[c] Called the Whiteleather, Packwax, Taxwax, and Fixfax.