feeding-machine

“The other matter (the locomotive power), important as it may seem to us in higher races, only holds a secondary position in reality: the proof of which is, that here is an animal reduced absolutely to a mere feeding-machine, who still lives, whilst there yet remains to be found one who has nothing left but his movement-machine, and who can yet exist.”

The History of a Mouthful of Bread And its effect on the organization of men and animals

“As you perceive, then, all the elements of our own feeding-machine lie between the two shells of a mollusk; in a rough state as yet, it is true; incomplete, and unruly; as in the case of the intestine, for instance, which in many of these creatures passes without ceremony through the heart: but even so they are quite sufficiently indicated to prevent their being mistaken.”

The History of a Mouthful of Bread And its effect on the organization of men and animals

“This republic is the original animal; it is the feeding-machine.”

The History of a Mouthful of Bread And its effect on the organization of men and animals

“Oh," answered she, "I was only saying that men like you were invented to give dinners; you're a sort of automatic feeding-machine.”

McClure's Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 5, April, 1896