Nature of Memory in Brute Animals. 359 



through the aid of present perception, is in no degree surprising ; 

 any more than is their acting with propriety upon present sensa- 

 tions merely, and without reference to the past : — it is in no 

 degree more surprising than the discriminations effected by in- 

 variable instinct. This view exactly coincides with the known 

 truth, that the consciousness of brutes is not formed upon the 

 intelligence essentially necessary to the actions performed by 

 them : the consciousness of a Learned Pig is just the same with that 

 of any other Pig. The acting from experience, if they possessed 

 a power of calling up ideas at will, ought to effect a change in the 

 consciousness of brutes ; — that is, if they reflected, or if they ex- 

 ercised a free intelligence either before, during, or subsequent to 

 the act : for this is the very ground and basis by which human 

 consciousness becomes gradually formed, elevated, and perfected. 

 This is a proof that brutes do not reflect upon their experience, but 

 only perceive it as occasional circumstances operate to bring it 

 present to their minds 5 when they act from intuitive instinctive 

 perception accordingly. Led by an influent but transient or trans- 

 fluent perception of the means, they proceed to the accomplish- 

 ment of the act ; such perception being accompanied by an in- 

 stinctive desire or impulse of the will. To give an instance: pre- 

 sent sensations, when the Dog observes his master take down 

 his gun, occasion the spontaneous presentation of ideas of the field 

 and the chase ; and the natural desire of hunting is accompanied 

 by immediate perception enabling the animal to act accordingly. 

 If he sees his master put on his hat, his natural desire of social 

 intercourse and companionship is put in action ; perception follows; 

 ideas of former experience spontaneously present themselves, and 

 if he has formerly, under similar circumstances, been confined, and 

 prevented from accompanying his master, his present perception 

 enables him to evade it, by setting off before hand and joining 

 him on the road : in this case he acts most acutely from imme- 

 diate perceptiou, in adopting his action to the exigency of the 

 circumstance; in order to fulfil his desire. In all this, it is 

 evident, that the Dog does not act from proper essential intel- 

 ligence, but from influent perception ; — he does not reflect upon 

 the means which he thus adopts, from or by any higher sphere of 



