mammifejrous animals, 



JL HE Empire of Nature has, by the general assent 

 of mankind, been divided into three essential 

 kingdoms ; the first consisting of minerals, the se- 

 cond of vegetables, and the third of animals. 



The Mineral Kingdom^ which consists of substances 

 destitute of the organs necessary to' hfe or motion, 

 occupies in rude masses the interior parts of the earth. 

 It is formed from the accidental aggregation of par- 

 ticles, which, under certain circumstances, take a 

 constant and regular figure, but which are more fre- 

 quently found without any definite conformation. — 

 The Fegetahh Kingdom clothes the surface of the 

 earth with verdure. It consists of organized bodies, 

 destitute of the power of locomotion, or changing 

 place at will. These imbibe nutriment through their 

 roots, respire air by their leaves, and coiitinue their 

 various kinds by means of seed dispersed witiiin pro- 

 per limits. — The AmmaJ Kingdom adorns the exter- 

 ' nal parts of the earth with sentient beings. These 

 have voluntary motion, respire air, are impelled to 

 action by the cravings of want, by love, and by pain. 

 They keep within proper bounds, bypre\ing on 

 theiDj the numbers both of animals and vegetables. 



