CLASSIFICATION OF ANIMALS. 329 



be more familiar to you ; that by which the matter upon our 

 globe is ranged under three kingdoms ; the ANIMAL, VEGE- 

 TABLE, and MINERAL. 



We find it somewhat difficult to draw a line of distinction 

 between the different kinds of organized beings, viz. animals 

 and vegetables ; the lines of distinction often seem to fade so 

 gradually, that we cannot well decide where the animal 

 ends, and the vegetable begins. 



This difficulty may seem at first somewhat strange, as you 

 may perhaps never have been at a loss to tell an animal from 

 a vegetable ; you would certainly know how to distinguish 

 between a nightingale and a rose, or between an ox and an 

 oak ; but these are animals and vegetables in a comparatively 

 perfect state. 



The animal you see has the power to move about, to seek 

 the nourishment most agreeable ; you perceive it uttering 

 audible sounds, possessing sensation and apparent conscious, 

 ness. The plant on the contrary is confined to a particular 

 spot, having no other nourishment than substances which them- 

 selves come in contact with it ; exhibiting no consciousness, 

 nor to common observation any sensation. It is only, when 

 we examine with close attention, the various phenomena in the 

 vegetable and animal kingdoms, that we learn to doubt, as to 

 the exact boundaries by which they are separated. 



The division of nature into three kingdoms, animal, vegeta- 

 ble and mineral, is very ancient, and appears at first to be 

 clear and precise. 



Minerals destitute of life increase by the accumulation of 

 new particles. 



Vegetables grow, produce seeds which contain the elements 

 of future plants like themselves, and then die. 



Animals unite to the properties of vegetables, the feeling of 

 their own existence ; or as Linnaaus has said, " Stones grow, 

 vegetables grow and live, animals grow, live, and feel." Al- 

 though this simple view of the works of creation is pleasing, 

 it is not satisfactory ; because we are not able to decide where 

 in the vast series of organized beings, sensation ceases. 



That you may the better understand what is meant by the 

 gradations in animal life, we will present' you with a sketch of 

 the classification of animals. The study of this department 

 of nature you have already been told is termed Zoology. 



A very general and simple classification of animals is as 

 follows : 



Three kingdoms of nature Distinction between the different kinds of or- 

 ganized beings Minerals Vegetables Animals Zoology Division of ani- 

 mals into two classes. 



28* 



