This text discusses the concept of proportion in human figures, noting that some bodies naturally or accidentally deviate from common proportions but maintain a better harmony of limbs. It contrasts well-proportioned examples like giants with dwarfs and deformed people, who lack such harmony. The author references Athanasius Kircher's works for further tales of giants and explains these extremes cannot be aligned with human functionality.
The Human Figures
Certain bodies naturally, and in some cases through certain circumstances, deviate from the common proportions, but they have within themselves a much better harmony of limbs than those who change by chance, such that one can observe in giants, as well as in the common types of bodies, an impeccable proportion. However, in unnatural cases, such as dwarfs and deformed people, there is often no measure or rule maintained. The different bodies that have good limb harmony can be somewhat explained in the examples of a house, a ship, or similar constructions, which can be regulated according to different specifications and charters; which, though they differ significantly from each other or from other specifications in general, can still be well proportioned in themselves and carry the name of a beautiful house, tower, church, or ship with dignity.
Now investigating closely how certain very large people, and terrifying giants, have occasionally existed; and what truth and harmony of limbs can be observed in them would go beyond our discussion. For those eager to hear more about such tales, they should read the second part of Athanasius Kircher's "Underground World." And just as this author tries to prove in the fourth chapter of the same part, there is no proportion in such large giant bodies for the suitability of human functions, just as one maintains the arms and outermost limbs of the great marble colossus statues.