COMPOUND ANT-HILLS. 288 
by the same road to their garrison, reap- 
ing no advantage from their expedition. 
The decision they took of returning 
would furnish ample matter for re- 
flection. I shall not now, however, en- 
large upon this subject, but limit myself 
to the question, how can this fact be ex- 
plained on the supposition of a blind in- 
stinct?* But here is a fact still more 
* There are few terms of more extensive signi- 
fication than that of instinct. In its ordinary ac- 
ceptation, it implies that principle which deter- 
mines the conduct of animals in their several 
operations. Admitting, however, all their ordinary 
operations to be regulated by such a power, what 
have we to say touching those instances (and many 
such are on record) where, from existing circum- 
stances, the habits of the animals have undergone 
a complete change, and recourse has been had to cer- 
tain means to attain certain ends. Man fondly ar- 
rogates to himself an active principle pervading his 
nature, denominated mind: that he should feel 
justly proud of this distinction, of that intellectual 
superiority which places him so high in the scale of 
animal existence, excites little surprise; but let him 
have the candour to imagine, that he, perhaps, isnot 
the only being thus gifted ; let him but allow a smal] 
portion of the same influence upon the lower order 
of beings, and we shall then have a rational theory 
