1 88 Instinct 



they accomplish their work perfectly, and in the 

 same manner, wherever found. But so far as expe- 

 rience is possible, the animal seems to be as de- 

 pendent upon that, as is the human race itself. 



The self-directive, voluntary activities seem to 

 be confined, in every species, to the narrowest 

 sphere of action possible, consistent with the wel- 

 fare of each species, under its ordinary conditions 

 of Hfe. 



In addition to those actions which are plainly 

 instinctive, — because performed at once, in the same 

 manner, by all members of any given species, — we 

 see animals performing other acts, in the same line, 

 or connected with them, that seem plainly to de- 

 pend upon acquired knowledge. 



We perform the same kinds of acts, as many an- 

 imals perform, not only because we have been 

 taught by others, who have also been taught or 

 aided by experience, but we do them understand- 

 ingly : comprehending the relations of means to 

 ends ; knowing, feeling, willing. We form plans, 

 and execute them for our pleasure. The mistakes 

 of inexperience, we correct by observation ; and we 

 daily become more skilful in any work we do. All 

 these acts and results mark us as " thinking beings," 

 as this phrase is generally understood. Within 

 certain limits, the higher animals appear to learn 

 by the same process as we do, and to act with the 

 same comprehension of means and ends. The 

 question then naturally arises, Do any animals pos- 

 sess a mental, or super-sensuous, organization like 

 that of a man, in kind ; so that any of their acts, are 



