87 



CHAP. IV-. 



Continuation of the gradual Progression of Beings. 



1. X HE relations which the plant bears to those 

 beings that surround it, and from whence it derives its 

 subsistence, are purely corporeal, or comprehended en- 

 tirely within the sphere of the properties of bodies. 

 The animal, which is more excellent, is allied to nature 

 by other connections, and by such as are of a more ex- 

 alted kind. Like the plant, it vegetates; like her, it 

 receives that nourishment from without, which promotes 

 the growth of it ; and, like her, it multiplies. But, to 

 those different actions, are superadded/ee/fg, or the 

 perception of what passes within him. This sense of 

 feeling is connected with several others, which are pro- 

 duced various ways; and they are -all accompanied either 

 with pleasure or pain. 



Agreeable sensations inform the animal of the rela- 

 tions which certain bodies have to its preservation or 

 welfare : disagreeable, or painful sensations, advertise 

 him of qualities which are hurtful. He is then the cen- 

 tre to which divers objects are directed; he draws near 

 some, and keeps at a distance from others. The nerves, 

 or that cluster of small fibres which extend -themselves 

 from the brain to ail parts, like small cords, constitute 

 the immediate organ of feeling. 



2. Does spiritual perfection always answer to corpo- 

 real, m animals ?V If this be true, how comes it to pass, 



