Psychological Distinctions between Man and Animals, 77 



bably, may see them again and again. But there is one 

 purpose for which the British oak stands alone, unrivalled in 

 the world, the purpose of ship-building. As adapted to this, 

 it has been the boast of our country, and the terror of our 

 foes ; lauded in lyric strains, from the ingle side of the humble 

 mud cabin to the princely halls of the noble ; and well in- 

 deed is it merited. 



■ 

 " Britannia needs no bulwarks, 



No castles on the steep; 

 Her march is o'er the mountain waves, 



Her home is on the deep." 



The bark of the oak is of very great value as an article of 

 commerce, from the astringent principle called tannin^ which 

 it contains in much larger proportion than the bark of any 

 other tree. This ingredient, as is well known, it is, with which 

 the raw hide is saturated in the process of tanning, preserved, 

 and fitted for sale and use. The value of the bark, for the 

 purposes of trade, depends very much on the age ; as that 

 which is peeled from the full-grown and healthy tree contains 

 much more of the requisite principle, than either the sapling, 

 or that which is old, gnarled, or decaying. The bark on the 

 healthy growing tree, although rough, rugous, and seamed, is 

 by no means unsightly to look upon; but has a fitness and 

 adaptation, as the external covering of the majestic bulk 

 which it envelopes. And, oh, what a grapple it affords for 

 the ivy, with its smooth, bright, and glinting leaves (for ever 

 green), to creep up the trunk, and enring itself round the 

 barky fingers, and, grateful for the protection it receives, 

 deck it in garlands of beauty in the last stage of decay ! 



Art. IV. On the Psychological Distinctions between Man and all 

 other Animals ; and the consequent Diversity of Human In- 

 fluence over the inferior Ranks of Creation, from any mutual 

 and reciprocal Influence exercised among the Latter. By Ed- 

 ward Blyth, Esq. 



(Continued from p. 9.) 

 Man only, by the habitual exercise of his reasoning 

 powers, appears to be competent to trace effects to their 

 remote causes ; and is thereby enabled to recognise the 

 existence of abstract laws, by assuming the guidance of 

 which he can intentionally modify their operation, or, from 

 observation, convert them to a means of accomplishing his 

 various ends. It it thus he wields the principle of gravita- 

 tion ; and it is thus, from studying the inherent propensities 



g 3 



