114 
CARNIVORA. 
THE WEASELS. 
It is extremely interesting to trace the progress of 
Nature, in all her works, as she inclines from one 
state of things, through various and almost imper- 
ceptible gradations, to another. The first dawn of 
animal life is so nearly allied to vegetable existence, 
that we are puzzled in concluding which to call it : 
organization improves (according to the fashionable 
phrase), and the semivegetable zoophites are ex- 
changed for others, in which animal life assumes a 
more decided form: we then pass imperceptibly 
by an infinite number of species, connected, in some 
one or more particulars, one with another, through 
the insects and worms, mollusca and crustacia, to 
the higher sort of aniihals, the bodies of which are 
supported by an osseous skeleton, and which are 
more immediately the object .of our present con- 
sideration. Here again, as with the rest, nothing is 
constant but inconstancy; no two species are alike; 
and, although many may be found, corresponding 
almost altogether in construction, faculties, and pur- 
suits, yet they will differ from each other relatively 
to the means bestowed on each. The lion and. the 
common cat are similarly constructed ; their faculties 
correspond, and the pursuits of both tend to the same 
