A

VIEW OF NATURE,

IN LETTERS

TO A TRAVELLER AMONG THE ALPS.

WITH

REFLECTIONS

ON

ATHEISTICAL PHILOSOPHY,

NOW EXEMPLIFIED IN

FRANCE,
DIAGNI

BY RICHARD JOSEPH SULIVAN, Esq.

F. R. S. AND F. A. S.

Mala enim, et impia consuetudo est contra Deos disputandi, sive ex
animo id fit, sive simulate.

IN SIX VOLUMES.

VOL. III.

CICERO

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR T. BECKET, PALL MALL,

BOOKSELLER TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

THE PRINCE OF WALES,

AND THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES, THE DUKES OF YORK AND
CLARENCE, AND THE JUNIOR PRINCES.

1794-

AC
7

595
113

SION COLLEGE LIBRARY.

SOLD BY ORDER OF THE

PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS 1938.

Lit.comm.
Hodgson
7-5-39
38627

CONTENTS.

LETTER LI.

IMPORTANCE of the study of nature---this study

more successfully pursued by the moderns than, by

the ancients---Infinite variety of vegetable and ani-

mal nature---different sources of pleasure in this

study---ground of the usual arrangement of natural

bodies---the same clementary" principles in animals

and vegetables--operations of the animal economy

common to all animals specific differences--digestion

not accompanied by putrefaction---antiseptic virtue

of the Gastric fluid---modes of nutrition---Irritation

---Sensibility---Thought---The nervous system the

organ of sensibility---the manner in which it acts

unknown---different theories concerning the seat of

sensation.

LETTER LII.

Animal motion not to be explained on mechanical prin-
ciples---Different modes of animal existence; sleep-
ing and waking---The different senses, their seats,
and modes of action---The soul, an invisible agent
---connection between it and the senses---its intel-
lectual powers---Activity apparent through all na-
ture, but the soul has within itself a distinct source

VOL. III.

a 2

of