The Philosophy of Natural History: Prepared on the Plan, and Retaining Portions, of the Work of William SmellieTaggard and Thompson, 1867 |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 75
Page 4
... influences of the bodies that surround us . Deprive us of life , and our resistance to all these tendencies is at an end . Our power of motion is lost , and we yield at once to the force of gravity which brings us to the earth ; - our ...
... influences of the bodies that surround us . Deprive us of life , and our resistance to all these tendencies is at an end . Our power of motion is lost , and we yield at once to the force of gravity which brings us to the earth ; - our ...
Page 5
... influence of that external heat which subdues everything else . He maintains a chemical composition incon- sistent not only with the chemical attractions of the substances by which he is everywhere surrounded , but inconsistent even ...
... influence of that external heat which subdues everything else . He maintains a chemical composition incon- sistent not only with the chemical attractions of the substances by which he is everywhere surrounded , but inconsistent even ...
Page 8
... influence of physical and chemical laws ; they are enabled to resist their ordinary operation by an inherent principle , and without this would speedily cease to exist . They depend upon the things around them for the materials for ...
... influence of physical and chemical laws ; they are enabled to resist their ordinary operation by an inherent principle , and without this would speedily cease to exist . They depend upon the things around them for the materials for ...
Page 9
... influence of heat and cold , yet they all show , in some meas- ure , the existence of the same power . And in the most imper- fect species , where there is no other evidence , this power is vinced by the fact that the individual freezes ...
... influence of heat and cold , yet they all show , in some meas- ure , the existence of the same power . And in the most imper- fect species , where there is no other evidence , this power is vinced by the fact that the individual freezes ...
Page 10
... influence . We are exposed while alive to the same heat and moisture which work so speedy a change upon us after death ; the composi- tion and texture of our bodies are the same . We resist their influence by virtue of the possession of ...
... influence . We are exposed while alive to the same heat and moisture which work so speedy a change upon us after death ; the composi- tion and texture of our bodies are the same . We resist their influence by virtue of the possession of ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Accipitres animals ant-lion 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 examples exhibited existence external feed feet fishes fore functions gastric juice habits head heat horse individual influence inhabitants insects instinct jaws kind labor larvæ legs less light limbs living lungs Mammalia membrane mode monkeys motion mouth muscles muscular nature necessary nest 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 325 - 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 ; or dive with precipitation into the depth of thickets, at the scream of what they suppose to be the sparrow-hawk.
Page 146 - ... 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 146 - ... 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 325 - In his domesticated state, when he commences his career of song, it is impossible to stand by uninterested. He whistles for the dog ; Caesar starts up, wags his tail, and runs to meet his master. He squeaks out like a hurt chicken ; and the hen hurries about, with hanging wings and bristled feathers, clucking to protect her injured brood. The barking of the dog, the mewing of the cat, the creaking of a passing wheelbarrow, follow with great truth and rapidity.
Page 146 - 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 313 - When they attack the leg, the stain of blood upon the stocking extends more than an inch in width. They make their hooked jaws meet at the first stroke, and never quit their hold, but suffer themselves to be pulled away leg by leg, and piece after piece, without the smallest attempt to escape.
Page 310 - ... possible, and generally about the height of the common surface of the ground. It is always nearly in the shape of half an egg, or an obtuse oval, within, and may be supposed to represent a long oven. In the infant state of the colony, it is not above an inch, or...
Page 410 - In this, the first stage of its creation, it was unfit for the residence of living things. It presented nothing but inorganic matter and its laws ; chemical laws governing its elements, physical laws governing its masses. Its temperature was uncertain, unequal, and extreme ; its atmosphere unfit for the support of respiration ; 'ts surface not yet converted into a soil which could supportvegetable life, or, to which this is necessary, animal life.
Page 366 - Huber, furnishes a specimen of these remarkable contests. " If we wish to behold regular armies, war in all its forms, we must visit those forests in which the fallow ants establish their dominion over every insect in their territory. We shall there see populous and rival cities ; regular roads passing from the ant-hill as so many rays from a centre, and frequented by an immense number of inhabitants ; and wars between hordes of the same species, for they are naturally enemies and jealous of the...