CHARACTERISTICS OF REFLEX AND INSTINCTIVE ACTIONS. 52 7 
continually observed that when the stomach of the Polype is 
full, its arms do not make any attempt to seize objects that 
touch them; so that small worms, insects, &c., which would 
at other times be entrapped, may now come near them with 
impunity. It has been supposed that this results from an act 
of choice on the part of the animal, and that its choice is 
influenced by its consciousness that its stomach is supplied 
with food. It must seem improbable that an Animal which 
so nearly resembles Plants in its general habits, and in which 
the nervous system is so obscure that it has not yet been dis¬ 
covered, should possess mental endowments of so high a 
character; and we may find, in studying our own functions, 
a circumstance exactly parallel to that just mentioned. For 
when we commence eating, with a good appetite, we may 
notice that the muscles of Deglutition act very readily; but 
when we are completely satisfied, it is often difficult to excite 
these muscles to contraction, so as to swallow another morsel, 
even though, for the gratification of our palate, we may desire 
to do so. Thus we see how much better a guide we find in 
Mature, for the amount of food we require, than in our own 
pampered tastes. 
694. The first class, that of Keflex movements, has been 
already considered in sufficient detail; but it is intended, in 
the present chapter, to offer some examples of those of the 
second and third classes,—those actions, namely, which are 
guided by Instinct and Intelligence respectively. These actions 
may be usually distinguished by the two following tests :—• 
1. Although, in most cases, experience is required to give the 
Will command over the muscles concerned in its operations, 
no experience or education is required, in order that the dif¬ 
ferent actions which result from an Instinctive impulse may 
follow one another with unerring precision. 2. Instinctive 
actions are performed by the different individuals of the same 
species, nearly, if not exactly, in the same manner; present¬ 
ing no such variation of the means applied to the objects in 
view, and admitting of no such improvements in the progress 
of life, or in the succession of ages, as we observe in the 
habits of individual Men, or in the manners and customs of 
nations, which are for the most part adapted to the attainment 
of particular ends, by voluntary efforts guided and directed 
by reason.—Where, as in the examples hereafter to be men- 
