Co7inection with Function. 183 



to be changed by some law of its being, as its feath- 

 ers grow or drop off, at particular seasons. This 

 physiological change and the manifestation of the 

 instinct to brood, come after a certain number of 

 eggs are laid, called a '■''nestr But it has been found 

 that these ^'nests " vary in number ; and by continued 

 selections, breeds have been secured that never 

 brood. The valuable characteristic of constantly 

 producing eggs, is secured ; but there would be the 

 loss of the breed, were it not for the care of man. 



In consequence of the abnormal conditions, to 

 which domestic animals are subjected, we must ex- 

 pect great confusion in the manifestations of their 

 natural habits. There are great modifications of 

 Instinct, as we find among dogs, modifications of 

 the original Instinct, in particular directions, inten- 

 sified by habit and rendered constant by careful 

 breeding. There is no more difference in the In- 

 stinct of the different kinds of dogs, then there is in 

 their structure. And as all the different forms of 

 dogs are seen to be modifications of one type, so 

 their instincts appear to be modifications of the nor- 

 mal instincts seen among those dogs which are sup- 

 posed to be near the original type. 



The relation of function to Instinct is much more 

 intimate than is generally supposed, so that the ac- 

 tion of one may be mistaken for that of the other. 

 The wonderful instinct of the hound is often refer- 

 red to as enabling him to track his prey, even upon 

 the dry earth. It is not Instinct, at all, that enables 

 him to do this. It is function, — the delicacy of the 

 organ of smelling. He has the Instinct to follow his 



