Page:An introduction to physiological and systematical botany (1st edition).djvu/31

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INTRODUCTION

TO

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND SYSTEMATICAL

BOTANY.





CHAPTER I.


DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN ANIMALS, VEGETABLES AND FOSSILS.—ON THE VITAL PRINCIPLE ESSENTIAL TO THE TWO FORMER.


Those who with a philosophical eye have contemplated the productions of Nature, have all, by common consent, divided them into three great classes, called the Animal, the Vegetable, and the Mineral or Fossil Kingdoms. These terms are still in general use, and the most superficial observer