First books of natural history. Elements of anatomy and physiology: prepared for the use of schools and colleges / by W.S.W. Ruschenberger. From the text of Milne Edwards and Achille Comte.

  • Ruschenberger, W. S. W. (William Samuel Waithman), 1807-1895.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: First books of natural history. Elements of anatomy and physiology: prepared for the use of schools and colleges / by W.S.W. Ruschenberger. From the text of Milne Edwards and Achille Comte. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    complicated machines, and succeeds in satisfying ardent curiosity, which is one of the characteri.stic traits of su|)erior intelligence. No study can be more grand, or more interesting; in reveal- ing what is extraordinary in animal organization, it leaves us filled with admiration at the sight of this infinite, this most asto- nishing work of the Creator. Considered in their mechanical relations alone, the bodies of animals present us examples of complication and perfection, to which our best constructed and most perfect machines do not approach: here we find without number, models of ingenious contrivances, of which, the most successful labors of the archi- tect or optician have produced but imperfect copies. But these are the least of the wonders which the animal econo- my offers us. The forces, which put into action all the material springs of our body, are regulated and combined with a wisdom which is far beyond human science; and the more we contemplate the play of our organs, and the faculties with which they are endowed, the more we feel the necessity of recurring to the Supe- rior Intelligence who has created this admirable production, and who has placed in it, a principle of existence and of movement To study with profit the particular history of ditferent animals, it is necessary, as we see, to possesss some general notions of their anatomy and physiology; and it is this preliminary know- ledge which is to engage our attention in the first of our course. Of the general composition of Anlmal Bodies, and the FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY THEIR DIFFERENT ORGANS. 17 All living beings are formed of a union of solid and of liquid parts. 18. The solid parts are composed of small fibres and little plates, so arranged as to contain the liquid parts, in spaces left between them; they thus form textures or tissues of various kinds, and we give the name of organization to the disposition which the tissues assume. 19. Organized bodies, that is, bodies having an organiza- tion or mode of structure w'hich wm have just indicated, are the only living beings; because this internal conformation is necessary to the maintenance of life: therefore, non organized or inorganic bodies, as stones, and metals are incapable of li\ing. 17. Of what are living-beings formed? 18. Of what are the solid parts composed ? what is meant by organization ? 19. Wliat arc organized bodies? Why are stones and mcUils incapable ol living ?