He determined a priori how many
species of animals must exist, and
shows on general principles why
a ni ma l s must have such and such
parts. Aristotle's errors of detail
were grave and numerous.
There ib one essential quality in
|»hysical conceptions which was en-
tirely wanting in those of Aristotle
and his followers. I wish it could
be expressed by a word untainted by
its associations ; it signifies a capa-
bility of being placed as a coherent
picture before the mind. We have
no word in English which comes
nearer to our requirements than
Imagination, and, taken with its
proper limitations, the word answers
very well ; but, as just intimated, it
is tainted by its associations, and
therefore objectionable to some
minds.
