ANIMALS AND VEGETABLES. 43 



pearances which they exhibit even after death, it is practi- 

 cable to ascertain the kingdom to which any individual be- 

 longs. When we attend to the display of the living prin- 

 ciple in the species of each division, we likewise perceive 

 differences so very remarkable, as to dispel all the doubt and 

 obscurity in which the subject at first appears to be involv- 

 ed. These differences, however, can only be distinctly 

 traced, by a comparison of the most perfect animals with 

 the most perfect plants ; and by continuing the contrast, 

 until we approach the lowest station of each kingdom. 



When any object comes in contact with the point of my 

 finger, I feel its presence, and my finger is said to possess 

 the power of Sensation. When the same body comes in 

 contact with my hair, there is no idea of its presence excit- 

 ed ; and the hair is said to be destitute of sensation. When 

 I compress or cut across the nerve which communicates be- 

 tween the brain and the finger, the faculty of sensation is 

 suspended or destroyed. The same object may come in 

 contact as before, but there is no feeling excited, intimating 

 its presence. In the hair there is no nerve ; and, conse- 

 quently, division or compression occasions no change I 

 conclude, therefore, from the evidence of my own experi- 

 ence, that the power of feeling is inseparably connected 

 with the presence and condition of the nerves ; and that 

 where there are no nerves, there can be no sensation. I 

 observe, likewise, in the case of animal bodies, that the 

 nerves are only dispersed through those parts which consist 

 of what is termed animal matter, or combinations of car- 

 bon, hydrogen, azote and oxygen ; and appear to be inca- 

 pable of communicating the power of sensation to any of 

 the combinations of the earthy salts. 



In examining the different branches of the animal king- 

 dom, we observe the presence of a nervous system, more or 

 less developed, according to the station occupied by the 



