COMPAKISON BETWEEN ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 24:1 
385. Having thus learned the almost imperceptible grada 
lions by which the animal and vegetable kingdoms are blended, 
we must, in stating the important differences which exist be- 
tween animals and plants, consider the imperfect species of both 
kinds as exceptions to any general rule and confine ourselves 
to perfect animals and plants. 
1st, Plants differ from animals with respect to the elements 
which compose them ; ca/rhon^ hydrogen^ and oxygen^ form the 
hase of vegetable substances j animals exhibit the same elements^ 
with this important distinction^ that carbon prevails in plants^ 
<md nitrogen in animal food. 
2d. They differ in their food ; plants are nourished with 
unorganized matter^ absorbed with water^ which holds in solu- 
tion various substances / animals are mostly nourished either 
hy vegetables or other a/nimals. 
3d. Plants throw off oxygen gas and inhale carbonic acid / 
om^imals^ in respiration^ inhale oxygen gas and throw off car- 
bonic acid. 
4th. Although plants and animals both possess a principle of 
life.) it is in the one case much more limited than in the other / 
exhibiting itself in plants by a feeble jpower of contraction or 
irritability / in animals appearing in sensation.^ muscular 
movement., and voluntary motion. 
386. We see, then, manj^ important differences between per- 
fect animals and perfect plants. We have pointed out striking 
analogies between the two great divisions of organized bodies : 
this subject might be greatly enlarged. We will close this sub- 
ject by a few remarks on the inorganic matter upon, and around 
the earth. 
387. Inorganic bodies form the solid base of the globe. Mirv- 
erals are spread upon the face of the earth, or lie buried beneath 
its surface ; they form vast masses of rocks, chains of mount- 
ains, and the ground upon which we tread. Water occupies 
a still greater surface of the earth than land : it is filled with life 
and animation ; — the treasures and wonders of the deep seem 
almost unbounded. Air^ lighter than earth and water, ex- 
tending on all sides about forty miles in hight, surrounds 
the whole globe separating us from the unknown elements 
wnich exist beyond it. Heat., or Caloric, is a subtle fluid which 
ervades all matter in an increasing proportion from solids to 
uids, and fluids to gases. Light., reflecting its hues from ter- 
restrial objects, produces, by the decomposition of its rays, all 
the beautiful variety of coloring. 
388. Wherever we turn our eyes we behold wonders ; " u 
385. Result of the comparison between animals and vegetables — Chains of beinj^s proceeding from 
tue point. — 386. Differences between aaimals and plants. — 387. Different kinds of inorganic mattdr. 
11 
