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20 CONCERNING BEING AND ESSENCE ratio of this mode of intention which is genus, which, simi- larly, is perfected by means of an act of the intellect. Yet, never- theless, that to which the intellect attributes the intention of predication, composing the one with the other, is not the very intention of genus but rather that to which the intellect at- tributes the intention of genus, as for instance what is signified by the name animal. Thus, therefore, it is clear how essence or nature is disposed towards (se habet ad) the ratio of species, because the ratio of species does not belong to those things which are appropriate to it according to its absolute considera- tion, nor likewise does it belong to the accidents which issue from it according to the existence which it has outside the soul, as whiteness or blackness. But it does belong to the accidents which issue from it according to the existence which it has in the intellect. And it is according to this mode that the ratio of genus and of difference also applies to it.