DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19953#0027
DIFFERENCE OF PROPORTIONS IN THE SEXES. 25
hand, and the same inclination of the toes, and the same
natural inclination inwards, when raised from the ground,
either before or behind, as in the action of dancing.
These natural inclinations inwards are owing to the
setting on or peculiar articulations of their several joints,
which the pupil will find explained for him in the course
of his anatomical study.
Women in general are shorter than men, and the pro-
portional widths of each also differ. The neck of the woman
is said to be a trifle longer, and set farther back, or more
upright than in man. The shoulders are much narrower,
across; and, the hips being much wider, the lower limbs
have, in consequence, a greater inclination inwards. The
lower limbs are larger, and the hands and feet smaller.
The muscles are less visible, consequently the lines, which
form the contour of the body, flow much more gently and
smoothly into each other than in man, giving the appear-
ance of grace, beauty and softness.
In infancy the brain is large in proportion to that of the
adult. The upper part of the head corresponds to this in-
crease, the frontal bones particularly being much larger at
this period of life; the jaws are not yet fully developed, but
the exuberance of the adipose membrane or fatty covering
on the cheeks and all over the body and limbs, the fine-
ness of the skin, and the clearness and transparency of
its colour, give to this age a beauty peculiar to itself.
In old age the muscles are wasted, and the skin losing
hand, and the same inclination of the toes, and the same
natural inclination inwards, when raised from the ground,
either before or behind, as in the action of dancing.
These natural inclinations inwards are owing to the
setting on or peculiar articulations of their several joints,
which the pupil will find explained for him in the course
of his anatomical study.
Women in general are shorter than men, and the pro-
portional widths of each also differ. The neck of the woman
is said to be a trifle longer, and set farther back, or more
upright than in man. The shoulders are much narrower,
across; and, the hips being much wider, the lower limbs
have, in consequence, a greater inclination inwards. The
lower limbs are larger, and the hands and feet smaller.
The muscles are less visible, consequently the lines, which
form the contour of the body, flow much more gently and
smoothly into each other than in man, giving the appear-
ance of grace, beauty and softness.
In infancy the brain is large in proportion to that of the
adult. The upper part of the head corresponds to this in-
crease, the frontal bones particularly being much larger at
this period of life; the jaws are not yet fully developed, but
the exuberance of the adipose membrane or fatty covering
on the cheeks and all over the body and limbs, the fine-
ness of the skin, and the clearness and transparency of
its colour, give to this age a beauty peculiar to itself.
In old age the muscles are wasted, and the skin losing