»0 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



surprising instincts than the Vertebrata ; whence we infer that Instinct 

 is independent of a brain, while Intellect certainly exists in very close 

 relation with that organ. 



The only actions of man which seem to have any claim to be consid- 

 ered as instinctive, are those prompted by the feeling of modesty or 

 shame. This feeling itself is not an instinct, any more than the emotions 

 of pride, emulation,'or anger. But the actions to which it points are not 

 merely natural manifestations of strong emotion, but are peculiar and 

 definite, as if devised by reason for the attainment of a specific purpose. 

 All the lower animals gratify each of their appetites, as nature prompts, 

 without stint, and without any apparent desire of cover or concealment. 

 Man alone gratifies one of them only with every precaution of secrecy, 

 and carefully provides a covering, not needed for the purposes of protec- 

 tion or warmth, for certain portions of the body. No tribe of savages 

 has ever been discovered so rude and debased as to manifest complete 

 indifference respecting such precautions and coverings. The adult 

 females are always provided with some clothing, however slight, the 

 arrangement of which indicates the purpose for which it is worn ; and 

 if, in a very few instances, adult males are found unprovided with sim- 

 ilar coverings, there is reason to believe that extreme poverty rather 

 than indifference is the cause of the neglect. The fact, that children 

 under the age of puberty are often suffered to go entirely nude, also 

 indicates the purpose of the covering. However slight the garment 

 may be, — a mere girdle with the natives of the South Pacific islands, 

 or a narrow cloth around the loins, as with the savages of Central Af- 

 rica, — travellers relate that it is guarded with much care and jealousy, 

 and that the removal of it seems to cause as much pain and shame as 

 would result from entire exposure among more civilized races. Reason 

 and experience could not have indicated to savages the necessity or pro- 

 priety of this slight covering ; as no reason can be assigned for it, apart 

 from the sacred instinct by which it is peremptorily enjoined. If this be 

 an instinct, it is one which, unlike all other instincts, does not conduce 

 to the preservation, — that is, to the physical safety, — either of the 

 individual or of the race. Man might live in this respect as the brutes 

 do, and live as long and as well. Call it instinct, propensity, or what 

 we may, the only conceivable purpose for which it was implanted in man 

 is a moral purpose, as a safeguard for the right development of his ethical 

 nature. Hence it is, that the entu-e loss of it, which sometimes results 

 from extreme profligacy, is shown by experience to be equivalent to 



