4 o fflsrORT of the SOCIETT. 



lume. The following abftracl, however, is given of its prin- 

 cipal contents. 



MANY theories have been invented with a view to explain 

 the inftinclive actions of animals, but none of them have re- 

 ceived the general approbation of Philofophers. This want 

 of fuccefs may be referred to different caufes ; to want of at- 

 tention to the general ceconomy and manners of animals ; to 

 miftaken notions concerning the dignity of human nature ; and, 

 above all, to the uniform endeavour of Philofophers to diftin- 

 guifh inftinclive from rational motives. Mr SMELLIE endea- 

 vours to {hew that no fuch diftinclion exifts, and that the rea- 

 foning faculty itfelf is a neceffary refult of inftincl. 



HE obferves, that the proper method of inveftigating fub- 

 jecls of this kind, is to collect and arrange the facts which 

 have been difcovered, and to confider whether thefe lead to 

 any general conclufions. According to this method, he exhi- 

 bits examples, Firft, of pure inftincls : Secondly ', of fuch inftincls 

 as can accommodate themfelves to particular circumftances and 

 fituations : Thirdly, of fuch as are improveable by experience 

 or obfervation : And, laftly, he draws fome conclufions. 



BY pure inftincls are meant fuch as, independently of all in- 

 ftruclion or experience, inftantaneoufly produce certain aclions, 

 when particular objects are prefented to animals, or when they 

 are influenced by peculiar feelings. Such are, in the human 

 fpecies, the inftincl of fucking, which is exerted by the infant 

 immediately after birth, the voiding of faeces, the retraction of 

 the mufcles upon the application of any painful ftimulus. The 

 love of light is exhibited by infants, even fo early as the third 

 day after birth. The paffion of fear is difcoverable in a child 

 at the age of two months. 



AMONG the inferior animals, there are numberlefs pure in- 

 ftincls. Caterpillars fhaken off a tree in every direction, turn 

 immediately to the trunk, and climb up. Young birds open 

 their mouths on hearing any noife, as well as that of their mo- 

 ther's 



