ZOOLOGY. 



ZOOLOGY is the science which treats of materi- 

 al organized beings, ivhich are endoived with the 

 sentient principle.* 



It is generally true, that animals differ from 

 vegetables in possessing locomotive, as well as 

 sentient, powers. This is a good distinction be- 

 tween the ox and the oak. But is very deficient 

 when applied to the isis and the sensitive plants. 



Animals receive their food into an internal cav- 

 ity or cavities, which is so modified as to furnish 

 the fluids which supply the wants of the system. 

 And probably no substance is received as the food 

 of animals, which has not previously been in an or- 

 ganized state.. Whereas vegetables receive inor* 

 ganic matter for food, as well as that which has 

 been organized ; and their food is chiefly received 

 through tubular radicles, or pores of leaves, which 

 have the power to direct their courses or pores to- 

 wards water, air, light and heat. 



All animals have the seuse of feeling. But 

 they have no particular organ for that sensation 5. 

 it depending on papillae at the ends of nerves 

 which terminate in every part of the skin. All 

 vertebral animals have four organs of sense. Each 

 organ is adapted to its particular office. One for 



*" Sentient principle" is not well defined, and no definition of an an- 

 imal has come to my knowledge which is satisfactory. "Organized 

 being" is still wanting in a settled accurate meaning. The student is 

 referred to large treatises on subjects of natural history, for ingenious 

 attempts at definitions and nice distinctions, 



