I also cherish no doubt concerning the rank of the two first families, namely, the Apes and Bears, although they have been separated in a strange manner by the interposition of the Bats and likewise the Shrews. At some future time one will not believe that the Bats and Shrews were once placed next to the Apes.
3573. Doubt, however, may exist concerning the rank of the Carnivorous or Rapacious animals; so that here the principles of our philosophy must be brought to bear in our behalf. I regard then these animals as the highest representatives of the sensorial organs. By this step three families at once take their proper positions, viz.:
Man upon the station or rank of the Eye.
The Apes on that of the Ear.
The Bears upon the post of the Nose.
Difficulties are consequently presented in regard only to the Rapacious animals, but which are removed, so soon as the three families just named are parallelized with the others thus:
Bone, Tongue, Whales.
Muscles, Nose, Pigs—Bears.
Nerves, Ear, Cattle—Apes.
Senses, Eye—Man.