3. Fury ib. THE GALLERY OF NATURE AND ART. PART I. NATUR E. BOOK III. CHAPTER I. CHARACTERISTICS OF ANIMALS & VEGETABLES AS DISTINGUISHED FROM FOSSILS & FROM EACH OTHER. THOSE who with a philosophical eye have contemplated the pro ductions of Nature, have all, by common consent, divided them into three great classes, called the Animal, the Vegetable, and the Mineral or Fossii Kingdoms. These terms are still in general use, and the most superficial observer must be struck with their proprie ty. The application of them seems at first sight perfectly easy, and in general it is so. Difficulties occur to those only who look very deeply into the subject. Animals have an organized structure which regularly unfolds itself, and is nourished and supported by air and food; they conse quently possess lite, and are subject to death; they are moreover endowed with sensation, and with spontaneous, as well as voluntary, motion. Vegetables are organized, supported by air and food, endowed with life, and subject to death, as well as animals. They have in some instances spontaneous, though we know not that they have voluntary, motion. They are sensible to the action of nourishment, air, and light, and either thrive or languish according to the whole. some or hurtful application of these stimulants. This is evident to all who have ever seen a plant growing in a climate, soil, or situation, not suitable to it. Those who have ever gathered a rose, know but too well how soon it withers; and the familiar application of its fate to that of human life and beauty is not more striking to the imagination than philosophically and literally true. The sensitive plant is a more astonishing example of the capability of vegetables to be acted upon as living bodies. Other instances of the same kind we shall hereafter have occasion to mention. The spontaneous movements of plants are almost as readily to be observed as their living principle. The general direction of their branches, and especially of the upper surface of their leaves, though repeatedly disturbed, to the light; the unfolding and closing of their flowers at stated times, or according to favourable or unfa. vourable circumstances, with some still more curious particulars to be explained in the sequel of this work, are actions undoubtedly depending on their vital principle, and are performed with the greater facility in proportion as that principle is in its greatest vigour. Hence arises a question whether Vegetables are endowed with sensation. As they possess life, irritability and motion, spontaneously directing their organs to what is natural and beneficial to them, and flourishing according to their success in satisfying their wants, may not the exercise of their vital functions be attended with some degree of sensation, however low, and some consequent share of happiness? Such a supposition accords with all the best ideas we can form of the Divine Creator; nor could the consequent uneasiness which plants must suffer, no doubt in a very low degree likewise, from the depredations of animals, bear any comparison with their enjoyment on the whole. However this may be, the want of sensation is most certainly not to be proved with regard to Vegetables, and therefore of no use as a practical means of distinguishing them, in doubtful cases, from Animals. Some philosophers* have made a locomotive power peculiarly characteristic of Animals, not being aware of the true nature of * Jungius, Boerhaave, Ludwig, and many others. |