For other animals have
each but one mode of defence, and this they can never change; so
that they must perform all the offices of life and even, so to
speak, sleep with sandals on, never laying aside whatever serves as
a protection to their bodies, nor changing such single weapon as
they may chance to possess. But to man numerous modes of defence are
open, and these, moreover, he may change at will; as also he may adopt
such weapon as he pleases, and at such times as suit him. For the hand
is talon, hoof, and horn, at will. So too it is spear, and sword,
and whatsoever other weapon or instrument you please; for all these
can it be from its power of grasping and holding them all. In
harmony with this varied office is the form which nature has contrived
for it. For it is split into several divisions, and these are
capable of divergence. Such capacity of divergence does not prevent
their again converging so as to form a single compact body, whereas
had the hand been an undivided mass, divergence would have been
impossible. The divisions also may be used singly or two together
and in various combinations. The joints, moreover, of the fingers
are well constructed for prehension and for pressure. One of these
also, and this not long like the rest but short and thick, is placed
laterally.
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