OF NATURAL HISTORY. 1$ 



the life of plants, Linnaeus takes it for granted, and makes it 

 the character iftic between vegetables and brute matter. The 

 third, * that animals grow, live and feel,'' is not leis excep- 

 tionable. Growth, life, and mere fenfation, convey the moil 

 ignoble notions of animated beings. From this definition, 

 we would be led to imagine, that Linnaeus meant to defcribe 

 the condition of a polypus or an oyfter. All animals, it is 

 true, grow, live, and feel ; but thefe are only the paffive 

 properties of animals. The definition includes none of 

 thofe infl:in^ive, intelledlual, and active powers which exalt 

 the animal above the vegetable, and fo eminently dlftinguifii 

 the different tribes from each other. 



Thefe and many other abortive attempts have been made 

 to afcertain the precife boundaries between the animal and 

 vegetable. Definitions have been the perpetual aim of moft 

 writers on this fubjedl. But definitions, when applied to nat- 

 ural obje(n:s, muft always be vague and elufory. We know 

 not the principle of animal life. We are equally ignorant 

 of the efi^ential caufe of vegetable exiftence. It is vain, 

 therefore, to dream of being able to define what we never 

 can know. We may, however, difcover fome qualities com-p 

 mon to the animal as well as to the vegetable. 



Senfation, motion, and ftrucSture of parts, give animals a 

 more extenfive range in their connecSlion with external ob- 

 jecfts, A certain portion of intelle^l, joined to the vital prin- 

 ciple, feem to be the moft diftinguifhing properties of ani- 

 mals, and to conftitute their efience or being. Animals will, 

 determine, a6t, and have a communication with diftant ob- 

 jects by their fenfes. They have the laws of nature, iu 

 4bme meafure, at command. They protect thcmielves from 

 injury by employing force, fwiftnefs, addrefs, and cunning. 

 But vegetables remain fixed in the fame place, and are fuDJe<St 

 to every thing that moves. Animals eat at intervals -, their 

 Ibod requires time for digeftion, and to anfwer the complies- 



