270 THE AMERICAN BEAVER, 



nerves. A man placed in similar circumstances, and 

 resorting to a like expedient, would be conscious of 

 several distinct processes of reasoning. It is difficult 

 to perceive how these processes could be possible, in 

 either case, except by the agency of a mental princi- 

 ple, or how they could differ as modes of thought. 



The several acts of the mutes here cited, as illustra- 

 tions of the exercise of reason, can be fully explained 

 as manifestations of a thinking principle. When the 

 possession by them of such a principle is recognized, 

 all difficulties vanish; and their conduct appears in an 

 intelligible light. It also follows that their intelligence 

 must necessarily be free to act within the range of its 

 powers. In this discussion the relative strength of 

 their mental capacities is left out of view, as imma- 

 terial. Compared with those of the human intellect 

 they are feeble and slight, but within their several 

 spheres of life and action they are ample for the 

 promotion of their individual happiness. 



V. Imagination. Whether the animal mind exhibits 

 the quality of imagination it may be difficult to sub- 

 stantiate. Although it is one of the highest quali- 

 ties of the mental principle, yet it is manifested in 

 many simple forms. The playfulness of childhood, 

 which is also commonly exhibited by the young of 

 animals, is superinduced, seemingly, by the pictures 

 or images formed in the mind by the fancy or imagin- 

 ation. This faculty, Kames observes, "is the great 

 instrument of recreation." If an attempt is made to 

 explain the songs of birds, it will be necessary to re- 

 sort to imagination, since the art itself is imaginative. 

 Animals are known to dream from physical indica- 

 tions during sleep, and dreams are the works of mem- 



