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VIEW OF NATURE. 
Origin. 
Molecular attraction, modifi- 
ed by time and space, or by 
the art of man (as in chemis- 
try); they are made. 
Owe their existence to be- 
ings similar to themselves, pro- 
duced either from eggs, or 
brought into existence in a liv- 
ing state; they aie hatched or 
born. 
Developement. 
They grow by the addition 
of new particles ; are hence, 
said to increase by juxtaposi- 
tion or accretion. 
They develope by assimila- 
ting to their nature, or convert- 
ing to their sustenance, foreign 
substances which they absorb, 
or receive internally ; they in- 
crease by nourishment. 
Termination. 
They are limited to no par- 
ticular form (except in the case 
of crystals), they have no life, 
and are not subject to death ; 
they decompose. 
They have a determinate form, 
and duration ; their existence 
terminates either by old age, or 
disease ; they die. 
Having considered the distinction between inorganic and or- 
ganic substances, we will proceed to a division which may be 
more familiar to you ; that by which the matter upon our globe 
is ranged under three kingdoms ; the Animal, Vegetable, and 
Mineral. 
We find it somewhat difficult to draw a line of distinction 
between the different kinds of organized beings, viz. animals and 
vegetables ; the lines of distinction often seem to fade so gradu- 
ally, that we cannot well decide where the animal ends, and the 
vegetable begins. 
This difficulty may seem at first somewhat strange, as you may 
perhaps never have been at a loss to tell an animal from a vegeta- 
ble ; you would certainly know how to distinguish between a 
nightingale and a rose, or between an ox and an oak ; but these 
are animals and vegetables in a comparatively perfect state. 
The animal you see has the power to move about, to seek the 
nourishment most agreeable ; you perceive it uttering audible 
sounds, possessing sensation and apparent consciousness. The 
plant on the contrary is confined to a particular spot, having no 
Difficult to draw a line of distinction between the two great classes of or- 
ganized beings — 
