On the Sixth Day, which connotes the Third, the earth was adorned by the production of terrestrial animals; potentially, according to Augustine; according to others, actually.On the Sixth Day, which connotes the Third, the earth was adorned by the production of terrestrial animals; potentially, according to Augustine; according to others, actually.
Various modes of living in plants which have a hidden and imperfect life are expressed by generation only, because no other act of life is found in them. The life of fishes, etc., is signified by creeping things; and that of the superior animals, by living soul; while the perfect life of man is not said to have been produced by the earth or the water, as that of other animals, but by God.
- text taken from Compendium of the Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas, by Bishop Berardus Bongiovanni