Chayigcs zviiJi the Season. 163 



rather quickening of instinct in special directions, 

 correspond with certain changes in the vegetable 

 kingdom ; without which, these changes in the an- 

 imals would be meaningless, useless, or even de- 

 structive to them. 



The animals that hibernate, find food, such as 

 they use, most abundant in the fall ; and at the 

 same time, there seems to be a physiological change, 

 by which the animal lays up an extra store of fat 

 in its tissues, to keep the lamp of life burning dur- 

 ing winter. If this change is not provided for in 

 the animal's system, by physiological action, then he 

 has the Instinct to hoard food, and has activity 

 enough in winter to live upon it. The instincts of 

 migratory birds, change with the season ; some of 

 them returning while snow and ice are abundant ; 

 so that they are evidently driven north by a quick- 

 ened instinct, rather than enticed by green fields 

 and sunny skies. 



All the birds bring forth their young at that 

 season when their food is abundant, and when there 

 will be time for the young brood to mature, before 

 the change of season can make its demand upon 

 them. The wild goose must make her way to the 

 lakes of the far north, in season to rear her brood, 

 and have them full fledged and strong of wing 

 to join in that grand procession towards the south, 

 m autumn. 



All these adjustments, by which the animal 

 kingdom struggles successfully for existence, de- 

 pend upon the fact that the quickening of func- 

 tions, and of special instincts needful to carry on 



