COMPARISON BETWEEN ANIMALS AND FLANTS. 24:1 



385. Having thus learned the almost imperceptible grada- 

 tions by Avhich the animal and vegetable kingdoms are blended, 

 we must, in stating the important differences which exist be- 

 tween animals and plants, consider the imperfect species of both 

 kinds as exceptions to any general rule and confine ourselves 

 to perfect animals and plants. 



1st. Plants differ from animals with resjpect to the elements 

 which compose them ^ carhon^ hydrogen^ and oxygen^ form the 

 hase of vegetable suhstances ', animals exhibit the same elements^ 

 with this imijortant distinction^ that carbon prevails in plants^ 

 and nitrogen in animal food. 



2d. They differ in their food ; plants are nourished with 

 inorganized matter.^ absorbed with loater.^ which holds in solvr 

 ticm various svhstances / animals are mostly nourished either 

 by vegetables or other animals. 



3d. Plants throio off oxygen gas and inhale carbonic acid / 

 animals.^ in respiration.^ inhale oxygen gas and throw off car- 

 bonic acid. 



4th. Although plants and animals both possess a principle of 

 life., it is in the one case much more limited than in the other / 

 exhibiting itself in plants by a feeble power of contraction or 

 irritability / in animals appearing in sensation.^ muscidar 

 movement^ and voluntary motion. 



386. "We see, then, many important differences between per- 

 fect animals and perfect plants. We have pointed out striking 

 analogies between the two great divisions of organized bodies : 

 this subject might be greatly enlarged. We w^ill close this sub- 

 ject by a few remarks on the inorganic matter upon, and around 

 the earth. 



387. Inorganic bodies form the solid base of the globe. Min- 

 erals are spread upon the face of the earth, or lie buried beneath 

 its surface ; they form vast masses of rocks, chains of mount- 

 ains, and the ground upon which we tread. Water occupies 

 a still greater surface of the earth than land : it is filled with life 

 and animation ; — the treasures and wonders of the deep seem 

 almost unbounded. Ah\ lighter than earth and water, ex- 

 tending on all sides about forty miles in hight, surrounds 

 the whole globe separating us from the unknown elements 

 which exist beyond it. Heat^ or Caloric, is a subtle fluid which 

 pervades all matter in an increasing proportion from solids to 

 fluids, and fluids to gases. Light., reflecting its hues from ter- 

 restrial objects, produces, by the decomposition of its rays, all 

 the beautiful variety of coloring. 



388. Wherever we turn our eyes we behold wonders ; " if 



385. Result of the comparison between anifnals and vegetables — Chains of beings proceeding from 

 one point.— 386. Differences between animals and plants.— 387. Different kinds of inorganic matter. 



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