The Venetian rower, who stands at the stern,
and with a long-bladed oar, fulcrumed to the
boat's extremity, in making his graceful lateral
oscillations, simulates the propelling motion of
the tail in an absolutely perfect manner, but it is
not a propeller, by any means comparable to the
kind mounted on a shaft, and revoluble.

How much more efficient are the spirally-formed
blades of the propeller than any wing or fin movement,
in air or sea. There is no comparison between
the two forms in utility or value.

Again, the connecting points of the arms and
legs with the trunk of a human body afford the
most perfect types of universal joints which nature
has produced. The man-made universal
joint has a wider range of movement, possesses
greater strength, and is more perfect mechanically.
A universal joint is a piece of mechanism
between two elements, which enables them to be
turned, or moved, at any angle relative to each
other.

But why multiply these instances. Like samples
will be found on every hand, and in all directions,
and man, the greatest of all of nature's
products, while imperfect in himself, is improving
and adapting the things he sees about him.