THE FUNCTIONS OF LIFE. 35 



matic economy in the plans of organization by 

 which all the former objects are most effectually 

 secured. I shall offer some observations on 

 each of these general heads of enquiry. 



With reference to the welfare of the individual 

 animal, it is evident that in the brute creation, 

 the great end to be answered is the attainment 

 of sensitive enjoyment. To this all the arrange- 

 ments of the system, and all the energies of its 

 vital powers must ultimately tend. Of what 

 value would be mere vegetative life to the being 

 in whom it resides, unless it were accompanied 

 by the faculty of sensation, and unless the sen- 

 sations thence arising were attended with plea- 

 sure ? It is only by reasoning analogically from 

 the feelings we have ourselves experienced that 

 we ascribe similar feelings to other sentient 

 beings, and that we infer their existence from 

 the phenomena which they present. Wherever 

 these indications of feeling are most distinct, we 

 find that they result from a particular organiza- 

 tion, and from the affections of a peculiar part 

 of that organization denominated the nervous 

 substance. The name of brain is given to a par- 

 ticular mass of this substance placed in the 

 interior of the body, where it is carefully pro- 

 tected from injury. 



The sensations, for exciting which the brain is 

 the material instrument, or immediate organ, are 

 the result of certain impressions made on par- 



