30G 
VIEW OF NATURE. 
embracing the animal and vegetable kingdoms. We then took 
a brief view of the animal creation. 
At the head of the animal kingdom, we found man, suffi- 
ciently resembling brute animals in his material frame to con- 
stitute a part of an extensive class, embracing the ape, the ele- 
phant, and the dog ; yet between the lowest degree of intelli- 
gence in the human race, and the highest faculties of brutes, 
there is a line of distinction marked by the hand of the Al- 
mighty, in characters too obvious for doubt. God said “ let us 
make man in our own image, and he breathed into him the 
breath of life, and man became a living soul.” 
Some writers have attempted to show that man differs only 
from the inferior order of animals in possessing a greater varie- 
ty of instincts.* But however wonderful may appear the in- 
stinctive perceptions of brutes, they are destitute of reason, and 
incapable of being the subjects of moral government ; we must, 
therefore, both from our own observation, and the declarations 
of scripture, infer, that the faculties of man differ not in degree 
only, but distinctly in their nature, from those of all other be- 
ings upon our globe. 
Man, (says Buffon,) by his form and the perfection of his 
organs, and as the only being on earth endowed with reason, 
seems properly placed at the head of the kingdoms of nature. 
All in man announces him the lord of the earth ; his form marks 
his superiority over all living beings ; he stands erect, in the 
attitude of command, he can gaze upon the heavens ; on his 
face is imprinted the character of dignity ; the image of his 
soul is painted upon his features, and the excellence of his na- 
ture penetrates through his material organs, and animates the 
expression of his countenance. 
In the orders of animals next to man, we find the external 
senses of sight, touch, taste, and smell equally perfect as those 
possessed by him, and, in some cases, they are even more acute ; 
but as we proceed downwards through the gradations of ani- 
mal existence, we perceive the number and acuteness of the 
senses to diminish ; we find some beings with but four senses, 
others with three, with two, and lastly in the Zoophites, with 
only a sensibility to touch, and that so faintly exhibited as al- 
most to lead us to doubt its existence. 
Let us, after these observations, return to the distinction be- 
tween animals and vegetables. You now perceive that although 
* This is asserted by Smellie, in his “ Philosophy.” 
Man at the head of the animal kingdom — How resembling inferior ani- 
mals — How differing from them — Buffon’s description of man — Senses of 
the orders of animals next to man. 
