between Man and all other Animals. 5 



be only the result of observation and reflection.* We ob- 

 serve a similar marked uniformity in the fabrics and opera- 

 tions of all animals of identical species (man only exempted), 

 endless examples of which will instantly recur to the reader in 

 the insect tribes ; and, if we consider the beaver, and others 

 of the higher grades of animals which join their labours for 

 mutual advantage, or are otherwise remarkable for what has 

 thoughtlessly been deemed their ingenuity, the same truth 

 will be found still to hold just as obviously apparent, and for- 

 bids us to attribute their proceedings to aught else than the 

 dictates of intuition. 



It is most commonly, however, in the resource of brute 

 creatures, the wisdom they display in their expedients, that 

 unreflecting persons fancy they discern the proofs of intellect 

 identical with human; but, even here, this does not necessarily 

 follow ; for it is sufficient to refer to the cases which I com- 

 menced by detailing, to be assured that Providence has con- 

 ferred instinctive wiles on animals as a resource against 

 contingencies; the legitimate actions resulting from which 

 according, perhaps, with what reason might dictate in like 

 circumstances, we are therefore apt to conclude must neces- 

 sarily have been induced by reasoning. To illustrate what I 

 mean, let me adduce the simulation of death practised by so 

 many species, with intent to weaken the instinctive vigilance 

 of their foes or prey. (That another animal, it may be re- 

 marked, should suffer itself to be thus duped, is most probably 

 a result of acquired experience.) A cat has been seen to 

 feign death, stretched on a grass-plot, over which swallows 

 were noticed sailing to and fro ; and by this ruse to succeed 

 in capturing one which heedlessly approached too near it. 

 The fox has been known to personate a defunct carcass, 

 when surprised in a hen-house ; and it has even suffered itself 

 to be carried out by the brush, and thrown on a dung-heap, 

 whereupon it instantly rose and took to its heels, to the 

 astounding dismay of its human dupe. In like manner, this 

 animal has submitted to be carried for more than a mile, 

 swung over the shoulder, with its head hanging ; till at 

 length, probably getting a little weary of so uncomfortable a 

 position, or perhaps reasoning that its instinctive stratagem 

 had failed in its object, it has very speedily effected its 

 release, by suddenly biting. The same animal has been 



* Brutes appear to reason from innate knowledge, and this in propor- 

 tion to the developement of the cerebrum ; but the extreme promptitude 

 of their expedients (as will be shown), in cases of emergency, often pro- 

 hibits us from inferring that these can be the result of aught else than 

 intuitive impulse. 



b 3 



