LECTURE I. sg 



tioh, circulation, respiration, secretion, and 

 generation, which are various in their struc- 

 ture in the different tribes of animals. 



In vegetables, and in some of the lower 

 kinds of animals, no traces of nerves are 

 discoverable. The nervous system begins 

 in a simple form, and seems to increase in 

 complexity up to man. But this will make 

 the subject of the next lecture. Mr. Hunter 

 also shows us that there are animals, as for 

 instance the torpedo and gymnotus, which 

 have organs liberally supplied with nerves, 

 forming an electric battery which they can 

 charge at will. Such facts show to what a 

 degree electricity exists in these animals, 

 and how greatly it is under the influence or 

 control of the nervous system; and they 

 could not fail to make a strong impression 

 on the contemplative and deeply meditating 

 mind of Mr. Hunter. 



What, then, may I ask, is the natural 

 inference to be drawn from the examin- 

 ation of this great chain of being, which 

 seems to connect even maa with the com- 



D 4 



