I.  Along  each  side  of  the  neck  of  large  qua-
drupeds, runs  a  stifl,  robust  cartilage,  which  butch-
ers call  the  paxwax.  No  person  can  carve  the
upper  end  of  a  crop  of  beef  without  driving  his
knife  against  it.  It  is  a  tough,  strong,  tendinous
substance,  braced  from  the  head  to  the  middle  of
the  back :  its  office  is  to  assist  in  su})porting  the
weight  of  the  head.  It  is  a  mechanical  provision,
of  which  this  is  the  undisputed  use  ;  and  it  is  suf-
ficient, and  not  more  than  sufficient,  for  the  pur-
pose which  it  has  to  execute.  The  head  of  an  ox
or  a  horse  is  a  heavy  weight,  acting  at  the  end  of
a  long  lever  (conse(iuently  with  a  great  purchase)
and  in  a  direction  nearly  perpendicular  to  the
joints  of  the  supporting  neck.  From  such  a  force,
so  advantageously  ajiplied,  the  bones  of  the  neck
would  be  in  constant  dangerof  dislocation,  if  they
were  not  fortified  by  tliis  strong  tape.     No  such


432


NATURAL  THEOLOGY.
organ  is  found  in  the  human  subject,  because,
from  the  erect  position  of  the  head  (the  pressure
of  it  acting  nearly  in  the  direction  of  the  spine,)
the  junction  of  the  vertcbriE  appears  to  be  suffi-
ciently secure  without  it.  This  cautionary  expe-
dient, therefore,  is  limited  to  quadrupeds :  the  care
of  the  Creator  is  seen  where  it  is  wanted.
