i895- SOME DEFINITIONS OF INSTINCT. 329 



The habits of animals are in very many cases of complex origin. 

 It is claimed that such a scheme of terminology as is above suggested 

 may serve to aid us in discriminating between the several factors, 

 instinctive, mimetic, and intelligent. The fact that many instinctive 

 activities are subject to modification through imitation and experience, 

 clearly indicates that they at least are accompanied by consciousness. 

 But it is submitted that, when thus modified, they cease to be in- 

 stinctive, that is, if congenital is to take its place as an integral part of 

 the definition of instinct. They should be termed habits. 



The distinction between congenital or connate on the one hand and 

 acquired on the other hand is a definite one. Objectively considered, 

 those activities, the performance of which is, so far as they are con- 

 cerned, antecedent to and irrespective of individual experience and 

 guidance, are connate, no matter at what stage of life they are per- 

 formed ; while those activities, or modifications of activity, which are 

 performed as the result of individual experience, are acquired — any 

 modification of connate organic structure correlated therewith being 

 an acquired character. Subjectively viewed, those impulses which 

 are nowise dependent on antecedent experience of pleasure or pain 

 are connate ; while those which are due to individual experience are 

 acquired. In any given case of animal habit it may be difficult to 

 determine how far it is due to connate activity, and how far there is 

 acquired modification. But this difficulty is more likely to be over- 

 come by observation and experiment, if the exact terms of the problem 



are kept clearly in view. 



C. Lloyd Morgan. 



