308 
VIEW OF NATURE. 
some imperfect animals resembling plants in their outward form, 
and others resembling minerals in their hard and calcareous cov- 
erings. 
Having thus learned the almost imperceptible gradations, by 
which the animal and vegetable kingdoms are blended, we must, 
in stating the important differences which exist between animals 
and plants, consider these imperfect species of both kinds, as 
exceptions to any general rule, and confine ourselves to perfect 
animals and plants. 
1st. With respect to the elements which compose them ; car- 
bon, hydrogen and oxygen, form the base of vegetable substan- 
ces ; animals exhibit the same elements with this important 
distinction, that carbon prevails in plants, and nitrogen in an- 
imals. 
2d. They differ in their food ; plants are nourished with in- 
organized matter, absorbed with water, the various substances 
which this liquid holds in solution ; animals are mostly nour- 
ished either by vegetables or other animals. 
3d. Plants throw off oxygen gas, and inhale carbonic acid ; 
animals 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 power of contraction or 
irritability ; in animals appearing in sensation, muscular move- 
ment and voluntary motion. 
We might trace a great variety of analogies between even 
the most perfect plants and animals, but we must not extend 
our remarks farther upon this part of our subject. 
Inorganic bodies form the solid base of the globe. Minerals 
are spread upon the face of the earth or lie buried beneath its 
surface. Tlrey form vast masses of rocks, chains of mountains, 
and the ground upon which we tread. The Water occupies a 
still greater surface of the earth than the land ; it is filled with 
life and animation ; the treasures and wonders of the deep seem 
almost unbounded. The Air, lighter than earth and water, ex- 
tending on all sides about forty miles in height, surrounds the 
whole globe, separating us from the unknown elements which 
exist beyond it. Among the inorganized substances upon opr 
globe, is Heat or Caloric, the subtle fluid which pervades all 
matter, in an increasing proportion from solids to fluids, and 
from fluids to gases ; and Light, which reflects its hues from 
terrestrial objects, producing by the decomposition of its rays, 
all the beautiful variety of coloring. The laws which govern 
Differences between the most perfect animals, and most perfect plants — 
Different kinds of inorganic matter. — 
