brain is the organ which individualises different impres-
sions, and so enables the mind to compare and judge; it
is the organ, too, which, retaining impressions, is the seat
of memory, and the source whence imagination draws its
images. The mind is again spoken of as higher in nature
than aught else, and thus Aristotle agrees with Anaxa-
goras who held that the "mind was the first of all
created entities and powers."
Note 7, p. 51. Thus, the reasoning in the so-called
Orphic verses, &c.] The epithet, "so-called," seems to imply
that there were doubts as to the author of these verses;
be this as it may, they shew that animal life was known
to be especially dependent upon respiration. Aristotle's
criticism seems to imply that he was not acquainted with
respiration in any other form than that of air-breathing
animals, and therefore, not aware that the influence of
the air upon the system is necessary for the maintenance
of life in all creatures. Cicero[1] maintains that "Aristotle
denied the existence of the poet Orpheus;" and that the
verses under that name were attributed, by the Pythago-
reans, to one Cecrops.
Note 8, p. 51. If it be well to form the Vital Prin-
ciple, &c.] The wording as well as the meaning of
this objection to the opinion that "Vital Principle must
be formed from all the elements" is embarrassed and
obscure; and, owing to the brevity of the argument, it
cannot be expounded with certainty ; but it seems to
- ↑ De Nat. Deor. I. 38.
