VITAL PRINCIPLE. 39 
ed, and surrenders it to the influence of the laws of inorga- 
nic matter. ‘This last state is termed Death. 
We have already stated, that the vital principle, in the 
formation of an organized body, acts in. direct opposition to 
the laws of chemistry or mechanics. With the cessation, 
therefore, of the influence of the one, and the continued 
combined operations of the others, we may anticipate very 
remarkable changes. Perhaps the appearances of death 
which first present themselves to our notice, proceed from the 
influence exerted by the laws of mechanics. In obedience 
to the power of gravitation, the pliant. twig hangs down, 
and the slender stem bends. In animals, the body falls to 
the ground:; the pressure of the upper parts flattens those 
on. which the others.rest ; the skin stretches out; and. the 
graceful rotundity of life is exchanged for the oblateness of 
death. The laws of chemistry then appear to operate, in 
the production of the cadaverous smell, the prelude to pu- 
trefaction, when dust returns to dust. 
CHAP. IDL. 
THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERS OF ANIMALS AND 
VEGETABLES. 
Hhavine endeavoured to ascertain. those characters which 
are common to all organized bodies, it now remains that we 
mark the limits which separate these into the two great 
kingdoms of Animals and Vegetables, into which they have 
been divided by the universal consent of mankind. The 
undertaking may be regarded as peculiarly difficult, if we 
judge from the variety of definitions which have been given, 
and the still unsettled ‘state of opinion among naturalists on 
