MAN, HOMO, in zoology, is justly reckoned at the head of the animal-part of the creation; making a distinct genus of that order of quadrupeds which Linæus calls anthropomorpha, from their resemblance to the human form.
The same author distinguishes the race of mankind, according to their different colours, into the Europeans, or white men; the Americans, or ruddy-coloured men; the Asiatics, or tawney-coloured men; and those of Africa, or blacks.
Nosce teipsum, "Know thyself," is a precept worthy of the lawgiver of Athens, the ancient seat of polite
literature; an important branch of knowledge, which may be reduced to the following heads. 1. In a religious view, theologicæ, that you was created with an immortal soul, after the image of God. 2. In a moral sense, moraliter, that you alone was blessed with a rational soul, to be employed to the praise of the Creator. 3. With respect to the other works of the creation, naturaliter, that you are constituted their lord, for whose use they were made. 4. In a physiological sense, physologicæ, the most perfect and amazing fabric of your body. 5. With regard to diet, dieticæ, what things are useful, and what hurtful, in this respect. 6. In a pathological sense, pathologicæ, how frail you are, and how subject to a thousand calamities.
These are the heads which, according to Linæus, comprehend the knowledge of man, considered as an individual; a branch of knowledge so essential to the human race, that, without it, he seems to doubt whether any other characters be sufficient to entitle one to be ranked among mankind: for he adds, Hæc si noveris, homo es, et à reliquis animalibus distinctissimum genus.
The whole of this work may, in some respect, be accounted an analysis of MAN; as comprehending his knowledge of God, of himself, and of natural and artificial objects.