CHAP. VIII. Of the Foote in Generall, his Excellencie, Figure, Stru∣cture and Vse.
AS man alone, because he was the wisest creature had Hands giuen vnto him the first and originall Instruments of the world, so he alone of all creatures * 1.1 which dwell vpon the earth and vse feete onely, hath two feete answereable to his two hands; for if he stood groueling on foure stiltes, how could hee ride, write, build, throw a weapon, or exercise any of those Arts wherewith he is furnished. The Figure and posture of bruite beasts had beene altogether vnprofita∣ble and incommodious for this diuine creature, for neither could he haue looked vppe to heauen, for which cause euen Anaxagoras could say that he was created; nor sit him down to meditate, for they say, that the sitting soule is the wisest, neither could he passe through sharpe vnequall or sloping places, climbe Turrets, builde houses, or any such thing. It is true, that the more feete the swifter is the creature (other things being equall,) but what neede had man of such footemanship to ouertake, when by his industry hee is able to cir∣cumuent all other creatures? He was therefore made Bipes that is, with two feet, & there∣fore he standeth vpright or sitteth at his pleasure.
The proper vse of the foote is to walke and the action is walking, and therefore the * 1.2 foot is called Instrumentum ambulatorium or a walking Instrument. This walking is vvhen one Legge resteth vpon the ground, and the other is brought about forward. The resting is the action of the foote properly so called: the reach forwarde the action of the legge: and therefore seeing ambulation is made by station and motion, that is, standing & pro∣ceeding, the foote it selfe is the instrument of the former, and the whole legge of the * 1.3 latter.
Now for assured and constant or firme station, as also for the accomplishment of those many motions whereof we stand in neede, the structure and figure of the foot and legge is such as we see. For it is diuided into diuers ioynts, and the toes are made long & broad not so long as in the Hands, but only as was necessary to fasten the feete when we would * 1.4 striue to run. For if the Toes be pressed vnto the ground, it is straunge with howe much strength and security the body is driuen forward.
Moreouer, the feete were made hollow in the midst that they might better passe tho∣rough all places: for the hollow soal encompasseth that which is round or gibbous wher∣on we tread, and the Toes do hold vs fast in right, oblique, sloping and ascending pro∣gressions. * 1.5 There is a great similitude betwixt the feete and the hands, so as wee haue seene some who had no hands, to do all the offices of the hands with the feete.