364 THE HISTORY OF CREATION. 
They have barely risen above the lowest stage of transition 
from man-like apes to ape-like men, a stage which the pro- 
genitors of the higher human species had already passed 
through thousands of years ago.# 
Now consider, on the other hand, the highest stages of 
development of mental life in the higher vertebrate animals, 
especially birds and mammals. If, as is usually done, we 
divide the different emotions of the soul into three principal 
groups—sensation, will, and thought—we shall find in 
regard to every one of them, that the most highly developed 
birds and mammals are on a level with the lowest human 
beings, or even decidedly surpass them. The will is as dis- 
tinctly and strongly developed in higher animals as in men 
of character. In both cases it is never actually free, but 
always determined by a causal chain of ideas. (Compare 
vol. i. p. 237.) In like manner, the different degrees of will, 
energy, and passion are as variously graduated in higher 
animals as in man. The affections of the higher animals 
are not less tender and warm than those of man. The 
fidelity and devotion of the dog, the maternal love of the 
lioness, the conjugal love and connubial fidelity of doves 
and love-birds are proverbial, and might serve as 
examples to many men. If these virtues are to be called 
“instincts,” then they deserve the same name in mankind. 
Lastly, with regard to thought, the comparative consider- 
ation of which doubtless presents the most difficulties, this 
much may with certainty be inferred—especially from an 
examination of the comparative psychology of cultivated 
domestic animals—that the processes of thinking, here 
follow the same laws as in ourselves. Experiences every- 
where form the foundation of conceptions, and lead to the 
a 
