. It has been supposed
by some, that mankind were formerly quadrupeds as well as
hermaphrodites; and that some parts of the body are not yet
so convenient to an erect attitude as to a horizontal one; as
the fundus of the bladder in an erect posture is not exactly
over the insertion of the urethra; whence it is seldom
completely evacuated, and thus renders mankind more subject
to the stone, than if he had preserved his horizontality:
these philosophers, with Buffon and Helvetius, seem to
imagine, that mankind arose from one family of monkeys on the
banks of the Mediterranean; who accidentally had learned to
use the adductor pollicis, or that strong muscle which
constitutes the ball of the thumb, and draws the point of it
to meet the points of the fingers; which common monkeys do
not; and that this muscle gradually increased in size,
strength, and activity, in successive generations; and by
this improved use of the sense of touch, that monkeys
acquired clear ideas, and gradually became men.

Perhaps all the productions of nature are in their progress
to greater perfection! an idea countenanced by modern
discoveries and deductions concerning the progressive
formation of the solid parts of the terraqueous globe, and
consonant to the dignity of the Creator of all things.]

"So tulip-bulbs emerging from the seed,
Year after year unknown to sex proceed;
Erewhile the stamens and the styles display
Their petal-curtains, and adorn the day;
The beaux and beauties in each blossom glow
With wedded joy, or amatorial woe. 130
Unmarried Aphides prolific prove
For nine successions uninform'd of love;
New sexes next with softer passions spring,
Breathe the fond vow, and woo with quivering wing.

"So erst in Paradise creation's LORD,
As the first leaves of holy writ record,
From Adam's rib, who press'd the flowery grove,
And dreamt delighted of untasted love,
To cheer and charm his solitary mind,
Form'd a new sex, the MOTHER OF MANKIND. 140
--Buoy'd on light step the Beauty seem'd to swim,
And stretch'd alternate every pliant limb;
Pleased on Euphrates' velvet margin stood,
And view'd her playful image in the flood;
Own'd the fine flame