Chap, i.] Complex StruHure of Animals. 75 



belong to a creature, endued with a power of volun- 

 tary motion, and of thought. 



To defcribe with accuracy the fpecific character- 

 iftics of different animals, to enter into the detail of 

 what is called comparative anatomy, would employ 

 an immenfe and elaborate treadle -, and indeed to 

 acquire the neceffary knowledge for fuch an under- 

 taking would occupy a long life. As the object, 

 however, of the prefent work is to give a general 

 view of nature, rather than to enter into that rninute- 

 nefs of difquifition which is chiefly neceffary for 

 technical purpofes, or for thofe inquirers whofe leifure 

 and patience far exceed thofe of the majority of man- 

 kind, it will be neceffary to confine the prefent fub- 

 ject within reafonabk limits. And fince it would be 

 jmpoffible, in fuch a work, to treat of the fpecific or- 

 ganization of every animal, I have made choice of 

 that one, whofe parts and functions are found to be 

 the moft perfect ; and as it is eafier to look down 

 from an eminence than to afcend the heights of cre- 

 ation, from what will be ftated in the fucceeding 

 pages on the economy of the human body, it will not 

 be a matter of great difficulty to comprehend that 

 of other animals *. The plan which will be pur- 

 fued in this part of the work, will not: be materially 

 different from that which has been adopted in the 

 preceding. After a few obfervations on the com- 

 ponent principles of animal matter, 1 fhall proceed 

 to confider the ftructure of thofe organs which con- 

 ftitute the animal machine ; and laftly, the functions 

 to which thofe organs are fubfervient. 



* The moft ft: iking and charafteriftic differences in the fabric 

 of different animah are however noticed; but to defcribe minutely 

 the natural economy of ever/ diftindl race of animals, would 

 require an immenle treadfe, and indeed has never }*et been 

 done. 



When 



