[ 3 6 z ] 
Comparative anatomy, and experiments made up- 
on living animals, have unravelled to us part of their 
vital, natural, and animal faculties. Among the lait, 
thofe which depend upon the organic difpofition of 
the parts, and which perhaps are the principle of 
many more functions, might receive new lights 
from obfervations to be made upon fuch animals, 
ss feem to deviate molt from cur mode of being. 
Surprized by the phenomena thefe animals afford, 
we pry with eager looks into the fecrets of nature; 
there we perceive effects, which fhew us, that the 
inmoft conformation of fome particular animals not 
tallying with our former notions, we mult renounce, 
as groundlefs prepolfelfions, fuch laws as we had 
been too baity in laying down as univerfal. Thofe 
effects, and the method of obferving them, which 
ought, feemingly, upon a firft infpedtion, to enable 
us. 
L’Anatomie compare?, et les experiences faites fur ies 
animaux vivans, nous one devoile une partie ties fondtions 
vitales, naturelles, et animales. Parmi ces dernieres, celles 
qui dependent de la difpofition organique des parties et 
qui font peut-etre le principe de beaucoup d’autres, pour- 
roient recevoir une nouvelle lumiere des obfervations a faire 
fur les arimaux, qui fembient s’eloigner le plus de notre ma- 
niere d’etre. Surpris par les phenomenes qu’ils nous prefen- 
tent, on fcuille avec avidite dans le fein de la nature ; on y apec- 
.£oit des effets .qui nous aprenent que la conformation la plus 
intiine de certains animaux ne s’accordant pas avec nos ancien- 
nes idees, nous devons rejetter comme prejuges, des loix qu’ on 
s’etoit trop preffe de generalifer. Ces effets, et la maniere de 
les obferver, qui fembient au premier coup d’oeuil devoir nous 
xapr«cher peu a peu de la caule, foutenir nos eff erances, flater 
notre 
