292 Attempt to systematize Anatomy, &e. [Ocr. 
This also shows the impropriety of reckoning any of these a separate 
system from the vital. 
It is a fact not less curious, nor less confirmative of the preceding 
arrangements, that of these parts those which consist chiefly of 
mechanical organs—organs which, in the sense already explained, 
are common to us with the lowest class of beings, namely, minerals,* 
are placed in the lowest situation, namely, the extremities; that 
which consists chiefly of vital organs—organs common to us with a 
higher class of beings, namely, vegetables, + is placed in a higher 
situation, namely, the trunk; and that which consists chiefly of 
intellectual organs—organs peculiar to the Aighest class of beings, 
namely, animals, ¢ is placed in the highest situation, namely, the 
head....It is not less remarkable, that this analogy is supported 
even in its minutest details: for, to choose the vital organs contained 
in the trunk as an illustration, it is a fact that those of absorption 
and secretion, which are-most common to us with plants—a lower 
class of beings, have a dower situation—in the cavity of the abdo- 
men ; while those of circulation, which are very imperfect in plants, § 
and more peculiar to animals—a higher class of beings, hold a 
higher situation—in the cavity of the thorax. 
it is moreover worthy of remark, and still illustrative of the pre- 
ceding arrangements, that in each of these three situations the 
bones differ both in position and in form. In the extremities they 
are situated internally to the soft parts, and are generally of cylin- 
drical form; in the trunk they begin to assume a more external 
situation, and a flatter form, because they protect vital and more 
important parts, which they do not, however, altogether cover; and 
in the head they obtain the most external situation and the flattest 
form, especially in its highest part, because they protect intellectual 
and most important organs, which in some parts they completely 
invest. 
The loss of such general views is the consequence of arbitrary 
methods. They did not present themselves to me till I had traced 
this outline of the natural system. 
ALEXANDER WALKER. 
® The bones, mofeover, contain the greatest quantity of mineral matter. 
+ It is the possession of vessels which constitutes the vitality of vegetables. 
t In animals alone is neryous matter discoverable, 
§ Plants have no real circulation, aor passage of their nutritive liquid througa 
the same point, 
