INSTINCTS. 159 



of the blest, the security of everlasting joys, 

 where the sensualist and the sceptic view only 

 gloom, decay, annihilation, and despair ! 



PoiET. — You transiently referred, Halieus, 

 yesterday, to that instinct of salmons which 

 induces them to run up rivers from the sea on 

 the approach of rain. You have had so many 

 opportunities of attending to the instincts of 

 the inferior animals, that I should be very 

 glad to hear your opinion on that very curious 

 subject, the nature and developement of in- 

 stincts in general. 



Hal. — You must remember, that, in the 

 conversation to which you allude, I avoided 

 even to pretend to define the nature of in- 

 stinct ; but I shall willingly discuss the sub- 

 ject; and I expect from yourself, Ornither, 

 and Physicus, more light thrown upon it 

 than I can hope to bestow. 



Orn. — I believe we have each a peculiar 

 view on this matter. In discussion we may 

 enlighten and correct each other. For my- 

 self, I consider instincts merely as results of 

 organization — a part of the machinery of 

 organized forms. Man is so constituted, that 



