Excerpt from Lecture Introductory to the Course of Anatomy and Physiology: Delivered at the Opening of Session, 1831-32 Vvhen we follow in the steps of this great master, when, after his manner, we compare the humblest form Of animated thing with that which is highest in the scale of being, - the simplest with that which is most complex in its structure and perfect in its organization, we perceive, even at a glance, the vast distance which separates them. At one end of this great chain of being, we find a multitude of living things, so sim ple in their structure, that they exhibit no function save one - nutrition no power save one - that of continuing of their species. At the other is Man, greatly pre-eminent over all the rest by his many and high endowments. Between the two extremes are placed multitudes of groups, presenting every variety of form and size, of character and condition, but which, when classed and arranged, are found to constitute a uniform series, each like the links Of a chain, being connected with the group above it and that below it, and so forming a continued line from the highest to the lowest. To ascend. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.