AND VEGETABLES. 3 



curious particulars to be explained in the sequel of 

 this work, are actions undoubtedly depending on their 

 vital principle, and are performed with the greater 

 facility in proportion as that principle is in its greatest . 

 vigour. Hence arises a question whether Vegetables 

 are endowed with sensation. As they possess life, 

 irritability and motion, spontaneously directing their 

 organs to what is natural and beneficial to them, and 

 flourishing according to their success in satisfying their 

 -wants, mav not the exercise of their vital functions be^ 

 attended with some degree of sensation, however low, 

 and some consequent share of happiness ? Such a 

 supposition accords with all the best ideas we can form 

 of the Divine Creator ; nor could the consequent un- 

 easiness which plants must suffer, no doubt in a very 

 low degree likewise, from the depredations of animals, 

 bear any comparison with their enjoyment on the 

 whole. However this may be, the want of sensation is 

 most certainly not to be proved with regard to Vege- 

 tables, and therefore of no use as a practical means of 

 distinguishing them, in doubtful cases, from Animals. 



Some philosophers^ have made a locomotive power 

 peculiarly characteristic of Animals, not being aware 

 of the true nature of those half-animated beings called 

 Corals and Corallines, which are fixed, as immoveably 

 as any plants, to the bottom of the sea, while indeed 

 many living vegetables swim around them, unattached 



* Jungius, Boerhaave^ Ludwig and many others. 

 B 2 



