Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-09-09
ALEXANDRIA:
JTTESDJT. SEPTEMBER 9, 1917.
The ANIMAL KINGDOM.
The subject concluded.

NnctEef III lHc dbiha't Wv
the mineral kingdoms-Every thing
from inert matter up to man (how much
farther it is forbidden US to know are
perpstualIy changing their FORMS But
as | have said before, though the forms
charge, the quantity of matter is invaria
BILE: the same substances passing success
isely through the three several kingdoms
and constituting in their turn. mineral.
a plant, an insect, a reptile, fish, Bird
quadruped or man. In these trans
formations, organized bodies are prlnci-
pal agents. They change OR decompose
every substance that either enters into
them, or is exposed to the action oil their
powers. Some they assimilate BY the
process of nutrition, into their own sub
stance others they evacuate in different
forms, and these excavations become in
gradients in the compositions of other
bodies, as those OF insects, whose multi
plication is prodigious. and affords very
great quantity Of organized matter for the
nourishment aud support OF animated be-
ings.-Thus from the viIest and most
contemplate spe les Of matter, the rich
est productions derive their origin. The
most beautiful and fragrant flowers, the
most exquisite fruits, aud the most use
full grain, all proceed from the bosom OF
corruption. The earth is continually be-
slowing fresh gifts upon US; and her pow
ers would soon be exhausted, if what she
perpetuaily gives were not perPetualiy
restored to her. 1t is law OF nature
that all organized bodies should be de-
composed, and gradually transformed
into earth. While undergoing This spe-
cies of dissolution, their more volatile
particles pass into the air. and are diff
fused through the atmosphere. Thus a.
nimals, or at least portions Of them, are
buried in the air, as well as in the earth,
or in water. These floating PARTICLES soon
enter into the composition Of new orss-
nized beings who are themselves destin
ed to undergo the same revolutions. This
Of organized matter has con-
tinued since the commencement Of the
world, and will proceed in the same
course till its final destruction.
Through the intentions of nature in
keeping up existence by perpetual
change Of the forms of organized matter,
one purpose seems to be obvious In the
animal world every chahgeis new az
proach to the Projections OF the individu-
ais, at which they remain stationary fo'
the purpose Of continuing and multiply
ing their respective species, whence they
gradually decay till their final disso'u'
ton The same may De said OF the in
sect tribes whose transformations occa-
sion so much wonder All the changes
in the vegetable Gndom tend to the
same point In the process of growing,
they are perpetuaIly changing forms, till
they produce fruit, and then they decay.
Some plants, like caterpilIars, 20 through
all their transformations, death included,
in one year. But others, Ike man aud
the larger animals, beside the common
changes produced by growth and the e.
volution Of different organs, continue for
many years in state Of periec ion before
the periods of their dissolution arrive.
Bat these perennial plants undergo, eve
ry year, all the yicissitudes of the ami
mails. They every yen increase in mag
nitnde, send forth new leaves aud branch
es, ripen and disseminate their seeds, and
during winter remain III a torpid state,
or suffer temporary death.
With respect to man, in particular, it
may be enquired, why is he to be confin-
ed to so short period Of existence here,
whose intellectual attainments seem to be
too vast, hi ambition toe exalted TO pc
IRISH frrevers To which the answer is,
that tits true he uDdergses a momenta-