15 
Trees, the nobility of this state, they nearly vie with palms, elevate 
their heads above the other tribes, whom they protect from storms, and the 
scorching sun, and maintain on their trunks vegetables, which cannot flourish 
on the earth, as the misletoe, dodder, and hypocistis. 
Some of these put on a quite military appearance, being armed with 
spines, thorns, and prickles, as the hawthorn, bramble, and holly. 
Flowers, the beaux and belles of this empire, surrounding the feet ot 
trees, tender plants of short life, displaying the most shining festive gar¬ 
ments. 
Grasses, rusticks, the most common, which cover the greatest part of 
the surface of the earth, constituting the multitude and strength of the vege¬ 
table kingdom. 
Mosses, an inferior order, occupying the ground relinquished by the 
former, cherishing in their bosom seeds of the nobler plants. 
Ferns, gipsies, covering the most barren lands, and carrying their seeds 
on their backs. 
Fungusses, abjects, plants of the autumn, naked and putrescent. 
The Animal Kingdom enjoys the external parts of this world; has for the 
most part voluntary motion; is impelled by the cravings of want, the de¬ 
lights of love, and the anguish of pain. 
The first kingdom, then, comprehends inorganized bodies: the second, 
organized, but insensible: and the third, organized and sentient beings*. 
Each of these Kingdoms rise one above the other. Minerals have no 
vessels: Vegetables have vessels for the propulsion and formation of nutritive 
juices: Animals have nutritive vessels, and nerves, a peculiar and distinct 
system, which is the cause of sensation. And when to feeling is superadded 
reflection, we behold Man placed at the head of the three Kingdoms of Na¬ 
ture, 
.who, not prone 
And brute, as other creatures, but endu’d 
With sanctity of reason, might erect 
* This is nearly Linnaeus’s definition, which is, Lapides crescunt; vegetabilia crescunt et vivunt; 
animalia crescunt, vivunt, et sentiunt. That is, Minerals have increase without life; vegetables have 
life, but no sensations; and animals grow, live, and feel. 
