(58 OP ANIMALS IN GENERAL. 



^ LESSON VI. 



-VV--3 

 OF ANIMALS IN GENERAL. 



ALL animals living upon the earth, in the sea, 

 or in the air have been arranged into six classes ; 

 namely, mammalia, birds, reptiles, fishes, insects, 

 and worms, or molluscous animals. 



Every animal has a stomach, that is, a cavity in 

 some part of its body, into which food is received, 

 and which there undergoes a process^called diges- 

 tion. This is one great mark of distinction be- 

 tween animals and vegetables, as these last have 

 nothing whatever in the shape of a stomach. 



No animal but man possesses reason. God has, 

 however, given to other creatures instinct, by 

 which they are enabled to provide for all their 

 wants with unerring certainty. The instinctive 

 actions of many animals are very surprising, 

 They build habitations of the most curious con- 

 struction, catch their prey with the most surprising 



