CONTENTS 



LECTURE I. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



PAG« 



Investigations respecting the origin and destiny of man.— The central 

 question.— Conditions of human progress.— Importance of man's animal 

 nature.— Comparative psychology.— Power of definitions.— Mistake in 

 use of formulas.— Definitions of instinct.— Vital activities to be traced. 

 —Apparent work of instinct.— Utilizes structure and function.— Includes 

 impulse, knowledge, skill. — Natural history and speculative philosophy. 

 — Man the perfection of the vertebrate type.— Organs put to a higher 

 use as the nature of the being demands. — Mind and thought.— Diverse 

 philosophical views.— AVork defined.— Results to be reached.— Topics 

 for discussion 17 



LECTURE IL 



OPERATIONS IN INORGANIC NATURE AND PLANT LIFE THAT 

 SIMULATE INSTINCT. 



Definitions of Paley, Whately, and Hamilton considered.— The office of 

 the physical forces.— Life, sensation, volition.— Method of discussion 

 explained.— Positivism.— Instinct part of a series of agencies. — Life 

 depending upon the position of the earth and the changes within it. — 

 Geologic changes.— Activities of the plant.- Instinct-like provisions of 

 plants.— Community of action. — Special provision of the tree for itself 

 — Wise economy of plants.— Movement of plants.— Special structures 

 and functions.— Provision made by plants for their young 40 



