Self-adjusting Power. \ 1 3 



such work was blindly performed under the control 

 of some law of life, as certain in its action, and yet 

 as free from wisdom or contrivance in the actor, as 

 the growth of organs or the activity of the organs 

 when the good of the being demands it. Intelli- 

 gence in the actor works by no such uniform meth- 

 ods. 



But it is said there is not only adaptation of 

 means to ends among animals but such a variation 

 of action according to the change of conditions 

 as to show comprehension on the part of the actor. 

 If there is truly comprehension and specific ac- 

 tion in consequence of it, showing that means and 

 ends and their relation to each other are all under- 

 stood by the actor, then we plainly have intelli- 

 gence. But in many cases there is no proof of com- 

 prehension where it is claimed. It seems to be the 

 nature of Instinct to vary within certain limits to 

 meet the change of conditions in the world around 

 it, as the balance-wheel of the watch, made of differ- 

 ent metals, adjusts itself to almost continual change 

 of temperature so as to give uniform results in the 

 movement of the watch. It is the office of Instinct 

 to do a certain work to keep the animal in the world. 

 To do this it must vary somewhat in its action ac- 

 cording to external conditions, but no more, nor in 

 a more wonderful manner, than the organs or func- 

 tions vary in their activity in both animals and 

 plants, to meet the change of conditions in the 

 world around them. Does not the eye adjust itself 

 without Intelligence, to the change of light within 

 certain limits? Does not the coat of fur thicken 



