1 1 8 Instinct. 



much in details to suit particular cases, that they 

 are worthy of study, as parts of that complex ma- 

 chinery by which nature provides for her species, so 

 that they may have a fair chance in the struggle 

 for existence. 



The simulating of death is a common instinctive 

 act with many animals. If we referred this device 

 to any comprehension of means to ends by the ac 

 tor, it would, in its different manifestations, be rank- 

 ed with the most adroit cunning among men. But 

 the varied conditions under which this instinctive 

 act is manifested, forbid our referring it to any thing 

 but an original gift, as free from contrivance on the 

 part of the actor as is his form or color. The sim- 

 ulation of death is common to many of the insect 

 tribe and to the Opossum, whose success in the 

 trick is so well known as to make his name a by- 

 word. We find the same simulation of death among 

 the young of some species of mice, so long as they 

 are helpless, while the Instinct seems to be lost 

 when they are old enough to care for themselves in 

 other ways. Before their eyes are open, they will 

 go through all the contortions of dying animals, and 

 finally put on the perfect semblance of death. 

 AVhen we consider the low rank of the Opossum, the 

 most successful counterfeiter of death among adult 

 vertebrates, and also that this device is most com- 

 mon among insects, and is also found among the 

 helpless young of some animals, we shall see that 

 this apparent cunning and contrivance are sim- 

 ply capabilities given to compensate for the want of 

 other powers, and that they are the result of spon- 



