a io ON A NATURAL SYSTEM 



xii. Criteria of Natural Bodies. 



IN order to di (criminate with fafety and pre- 

 cifion, even where bodies arc united in the great- 

 eft affinity, it is an object of the lirft importance 

 to eftabliih proper criteria. 



xin. Conjlant and perpetual Forms cf Organic 

 Bodies. 



IN the cg, or in a fecundated germ, the 

 little body, the rudiment of the future foetus, 

 lies wholly concealed, until by proper heat and 

 nourifltmcnt it is gradually evolved, increafes, 

 and arrives ut maturity. In all organic bodies, 

 thc-refoie, the form is predetermined from their 

 very origin, which the power of their internal and 

 peculiar ilructure is calculated to dcvelope ; fo 

 that between thci'e two qualities the relation is 

 invariable ; and therefore criteria arc not impro- 

 perly collected from that external figure \\hich 

 is derived from, and rooted in the cflcntial cha- 

 racter of the fpccies. 



S xiv. Mviftrdus Productions, 



AMONG thefe, indeed, we fomerimcs find de- 

 viations from the general laws of nature, produc- 

 ing mjnjlcrs ; but fych events which are rare, 



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