i6 i. 4— i. 5. 



separate class. In their respective subdivisions the organs are not 

 merely analogous, as the bone of man and the spine of fish, but • 

 are identical, with the exception of certain corporeal differentiations 

 in respect of largeness smallness, hardness softness, smoothness 

 roughness, and other oppositions of this kind, and, in one word, in 

 respect of degree. 



We have now touched upon the canons for criticising the method 

 of natural science, and have considered what is the most systematic 

 and easy course of investigation ; we have also dealt with division, 

 and the mode of conducting it so as best to attain the ends of 

 science, and have shown how dichotomy is either impracticable or 

 inefficacious for its professed purposes. 



Having laid this foundation, we proceed to the next topic, and 

 by way of introduction we observe, that (Ch. 5J some members 

 of the universe are ungenerated, imperishable, and eternal, while 

 others are subject to generation and decay. The former are 

 excellent beyond compare and divine, but less accessible to know- 

 ledge. The evidence that might throw light on them, and on 

 the problems which we long to solve respecting them, is furnished 

 but scantily by sensation ; whereas respecting perishable plants 

 and animals we have abundant information, living as we do in 

 their midst, and ample data may be collected concerning all 

 their various kinds, if only we are willing to take sufficient pains. 

 Both departments, however, have their special charm. The scanty 

 conceptions to which we can attain of celestial things give us, 

 from their excellence, more pleasure than all our knowledge of 

 the world in which we live ; just as a half glimpse of persons that 

 we love is more delightful than a leisurely view of other things, 

 whatever their number and dimensions. On the other hand, in 

 certitude and in completeness our knowledge of terrestrial things 

 has the advantage. Moreover, their greater nearness and affinity 

 to us balances somewhat the loftier interest of the heavenly things 

 that are the objects of the higher philosophy. Having already 

 treated of the celestial world, as far as our conjectures could reach, 

 we proceed to treat of animals, without omitting, to the best of our 

 ability, any member of the kingdom, however ignoble. For if some 

 have no graces to charm the sense, yet even these, by disclosing to 

 intellectual perception the artistic spirit that designed them, give 

 immense pleasure to all who can trace links of causation, and are 

 inclined to philosophy. Indeed, it would be strange if mimic 

 645 a. 



