OF ORGANIZED BEINGS. 413 



We have thus considered the three functions that be- 

 long to all organized beings, to plants as well as animals. 

 We will now consider some of those which are only pos- 

 sessed by animals. We have before observed that ani- 

 mals were distinguished from plants by their power of loco- 

 motion or the power of moving from place to place in 

 search of food or pleasure. 



All objects with which we are acquainted are subject 

 to the laws of motion, but so far as it regards motion 

 they are divided into two classes; one class includes all 

 those objects that are endowed with a self-moving power 

 by means of a particular apparatus which compose a part 

 of themselves. The other class includes all matter which 

 has not the power within itself of moving itself, but which 

 requires some external force to put it in motion, and 

 when once in motion requires some external resistance 

 to stop it. The first class is composed of animated or- 

 ganized beings, and the second of all unorganized sub- 

 stances. The force with which unorganized matter 

 resists any change is proportioned to the quantity which 

 a body contains. It is perfectly indifferent to rest or 

 motion, and this indifference is the natural consequence 

 of the most absolute inactivity. 



The power of beginning motion without the aid of ex- 

 ternal influence belongs only to active, intelligent, organ- 

 ized beings. Animals having the power to move wherever 

 their wants dictate or their desires prompt, must be en- 

 dowed with a particular apparatus by which this power" is 

 effected. 



This apparatus is called muscular. There are a great 

 number of muscles in our bodies, and each muscle is 

 composed of long parallel fibres, usually of a^red color, 

 soft, irritable and contractile. The muscular substance 

 is what is usually called red-flesh. All muscles are ca- 

 pable of contracting, and it is by means of this power 

 that all the motions of the body are effected. It is by 

 means of these that we walk, move our hands, chew our 

 food, and even breathe. The heart is composed of mus- 

 cular fibres, and it is by their powerful contraction that 

 the blood is thrown to the lungs and to all parts of the 

 body. If we raise one hand to the head and place the 



VOL. i. NO. xvii. 37 



