fjg^. on the iustinct of animals l?9 



The manufactures of animals, if we may call them by 

 that name, present us with a wonderful variety of instirs s 

 belonging to particular specie-, whether of the social or 

 the solitary kind — the nesti of birds, so similar in their 

 situation and architecture in the same kind, so various ia 

 diffsrcnt kinds — the webs of spiders and of other spinning 

 animals — the ball of the silk worm — the nests of ants and 

 other uiinincj animals — the combs of wasps, hornets, and 

 bees, — the dams and houses of beavers. 



The instinct oi animals is one of the most delightful 

 and instructive parts of a most pleasant study, that of 

 natural history j and deserves to be more cultivated thaij 

 it has yet been. 



Every manufacturing art among men was invented by 

 some man, improved by others, and brought to perfection 

 by time and experience. Men learn to work in it by 

 long practice, which produces a habit. The arts of men 

 vary in every age, and in every nation, and are found 

 only in those who have been taught them. 



The manufactures of animals differ from those of men, 

 in many striking particulars. 



No animal of the species can claim the invention. No 

 animal ever introduced any new improvement, or any 

 variation from the former practice, livery one of the 

 species has equal IkiU from the beginning, without 

 teaching, without experience or habit. Every one has its 

 art by a kind of inspiration. I do not mean that it is in- 

 spired with the principles or rules of the art, but with 

 the ability and inclination of working in it to perfection, 

 without any knowledge of its principles, rules, or end. 



The more sagacious animals may be taught to do 

 many things which they do not by instinct. What they 

 are taught to do, they do with more or lefs fkill, accor- 

 ding to their sagacity and their training. But, in their 



