The Philosophy of Natural History: Prepared on the Plan, and Retaining Portions, of the Work of William SmellieTaggard and Thompson, 1863 |
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Page 7
... cause of the varieties in animal form .. The study of this subject lays open to us a prospect of the wonderful economy with which Nature manages her resources . Notwithstanding the wonderful , variety of animal forms , the fundamental ...
... cause of the varieties in animal form .. The study of this subject lays open to us a prospect of the wonderful economy with which Nature manages her resources . Notwithstanding the wonderful , variety of animal forms , the fundamental ...
Page 8
... causes of less importance fre- quently produce some minor changes . But through all , the powers and properties remain the same . Matter always gravi- tates , and its elements , however divided and disturbed , always maintain the same ...
... causes of less importance fre- quently produce some minor changes . But through all , the powers and properties remain the same . Matter always gravi- tates , and its elements , however divided and disturbed , always maintain the same ...
Page 11
... causes , which is possessed by no substances except such as are endowed with life , and is , probably , possessed in some de- gree by all that are . For , although vegetables and the lower kinds of animals are not capable of resisting ...
... causes , which is possessed by no substances except such as are endowed with life , and is , probably , possessed in some de- gree by all that are . For , although vegetables and the lower kinds of animals are not capable of resisting ...
Page 12
... causes of chemical decomposition by which they are surrounded . This resistance ceases as soon as life ceases , and is consequently due to its influence . We are exposed while alive to the same heat and moisture which work so speedy a ...
... causes of chemical decomposition by which they are surrounded . This resistance ceases as soon as life ceases , and is consequently due to its influence . We are exposed while alive to the same heat and moisture which work so speedy a ...
Page 13
... causes produce uniform re- sults ; and these results are capable of being calculated and measured . It is widely ... cause . A remarkable result of this peculiarity is the formation of habits . All living things are believed to be ...
... causes produce uniform re- sults ; and these results are capable of being calculated and measured . It is widely ... cause . A remarkable result of this peculiarity is the formation of habits . All living things are believed to be ...
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Common terms and phrases
Accipitres animals antennæ ants appear aqueous humor bees birds birds of prey blood bobolink body bones called capable carbonic acid carnivorous cavity cells Cetacea character chyle circulation circumstances classes cold color common connection degree Describe digestion direction distance distinct earth eggs elephant exhibited existence external feed feet fishes fore functions gastric juice habits head heat horse individual inhabitants insects instinct intelligence jaws kind labor larvæ legs less light limbs living lungs Mammalia mastication membrane mode monkeys motion mouth muscles muscular nature necessary nest neuters object observed operations organs peculiar perfect performed plants possessed prey principle probably produced propolis purpose quadrupeds Réaumur relation remarkable Reptiles resemblance respiration retina sense skin sometimes sound species stomach structure substances surface tail teeth tion torpid trees trunk variety vegetable Waders warm-blooded wasps whilst whole wings worms young
Popular passages
Page 148 - I heard a shout. Starting, and looking half round, I saw the lion just in the act of springing upon me. I was upon a little height; he caught my shoulder as he sprang, and we both came to the ground below together. Growling horribly close to my ear, he shook me as a terrier dog does a rat.
Page 325 - While thus exerting himself, a bystander destitute of sight would suppose that the whole feathered tribe had assembled together on a trial of skill, each striving to produce his utmost effect, so perfect are his imitations. He many times deceives the sportsman, and sends him in search of birds that perhaps are not within miles of him, but whose notes he exactly imitates ; even birds themselves are frequently imposed on by this admirable mimic, and are decoyed by the fancied calls of their mates ;...
Page 148 - ... quite conscious of all that was happening. It was like what patients partially under the influence of chloroform describe, who see all the operation but feel not the knife. This singular condition was not the result of any mental process. The shake annihilated fear, and allowed no sense of horror in looking round at the beast. This peculiar state is probably produced in all animals killed by the carnivora; and, if so, is a merciful provision by our benevolent Creator for lessening the pain of...
Page 148 - ... together. Growling horribly close to my ear, he shook me as a terrier dog does a rat. The shock produced a stupor similar to that which seems to be felt by a mouse after the first shake of the cat.
Page 148 - It caused a sort of dreaminess, in which there was no sense of pain nor feeling of terror, though quite conscious of all that was happening. It was like what patients partially under the influence of chloroform describe, who see all the operation, but feel not the knife. This singular condition was not the result of any mental process. The shake annihilated fear, and allowed no sense of horror in looking round at the beast.
Page 379 - The days of our years are threescore years and ten ; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Page 380 - ... of a second century, they are regular, comely, and, wonderfully undisfigured by the hand of time ; his eyes are of a lively blue ; his profile is Grecian, and very fine ; his head is completely covered with the most beautiful and delicate white locks...
Page 326 - He runs over the quiverings of the Canary, and the clear whistlings of the Virginia Nightingale, or Red-bird, with such superior execution and effect, that the mortified songsters feel their own inferiority, and become altogether silent; while he seems to triumph in their defeat by redoubling his exertions.
Page 368 - Next morning, before dawn, the combatants returned to the field of battle, the groups again formed —the carnage recommenced with greater fury than on the preceding evening, and the scene of combat occupied a space of six feet in length by two in breadth.
Page 381 - He still retains the front teeth of his upper jaw ; his mouth is not fallen in, like that of old people generally, and his lips, particularly, are like those of middle life ; his voice is strong and...