on muscular Motion. 
13 
muscles of multi- valve, and bi-valve shell fish, to the inorganic 
shell, the cancer Bernhardus to the dead shells of other ani- 
mals, and in the transplantation of teeth. All of which, although 
somewhat contrary to received opinion, have certainly no 
degree of vascularity, or vital connection with the inhabitant ; 
these shells being liable to transudations of cupreous salts and 
other poisonous substances, whilst the animal remains unin- 
jured. A variety of proofs to the same effect might be adduced, 
but it would be disrespectful to this learned Body to urge any 
farther illustrations on a subject so obvious. 
The effects of subdivision, or comminution of parts among 
the complicated organized bodies, is unlike that of mineral 
bodies : in the latter instance, the entire properties of the sub- 
stance are retained, however extensive the subdivision ; in the 
former substances, the comminution of parts destroys the 
essential texture and composition, by separating the gross 
arrangements of structure upon which their specific properties 
depend. From similar causes it seems to arise, that animals of 
minute bulk are necessarily of simple structure : size alone is 
not, however, the sole cause of their simple organization, be- 
cause examples are sufficiently numerous wherein the animal 
attains considerable bulk, and is of simple structure, and vice 
versa: but, in the former, the medium in which they live, and 
the habits they assume, are such as do not require extensive 
appendages, whilst the smaller complex animals are destined 
to more difficult, and more active exertions. It may be as- 
sumed however, as an invariable position, that the minutest 
animals are all of simple organization. 
Upon a small scale, life may be carried on with simple ma- 
terials ; but the management, and provisions for bulky animals. 
