~ perception or will. 
INTRODUCTION. 11 
Thus then it stands—absorption, assimilation, exhalation, 
development and generation are functions common to all liv- 
ing bodies; birth and death the universal limits of their exist- 
ence; an areolar, contractile tissue, containing within its lamine 
fluids or gases in motion, the general essence of its struc- 
ture; substances almost all susceptible of conversion into fluids 
or gases, and combinations capable of an easy and mutual 
transformation, the basis of their chemical composition. Fixed 
forms that are perpetuated by generation distinguish their 
species, determine the complication of the secondary functions 
proper to each of them, and assign to them the parts they are 
to play on the great stage of the universe. These forms are 
neither produced nor changed by their own agency—life sup- 
poses their existence, its flame can only be kindled in an 
organization already prepared, and the most profound medita- 
tion and lynx-eyed and delicate observation can penetrate no 
farther than the mystery of the pre-existence of germs. 
Division of Organized Beings into Animals and Vegetables. 
Living or organized beings have always been subdivided 
into animate beings, that is, such as are possessed of sense and 
motion, and into zzanimate beings, which are deprived of 
both these faculties, and are reduced to the simple faculty of 
- vegetating. Although the leaves of several plants shrink 
from the touch, and the roots are steadily directed towards 
moisture, the leaves to light and air, and though parts of 
vegetables appear to oscillate without any apparent external 
cause, still these various motions have too little similarity to 
those of animals, to enable us to find in them any proofs of 
The spontaneity in the motions of animals required essen- 
_ tial modifications even in their purely vegetative organs. 
Foal 
5 Pte 
Their roots not penetrating the earth, it was necessary they 
should be able to place within themselves a supply of aliment, 
and to carry its reservoir along with them. Hence is derived _ 
the first character of animals, or their alimentary canal, from ~ 
* - - 
dans 
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