2 1 8 Instmct. 



of that life. Birds that cannot fly, walk, or see when 

 they are hatched, have mothers, which build nests, 

 in anticipation of their coming, and have the in- 

 stinct to bring them the food they need. The 

 chickens and young partridges leave the nest at 

 once, pick the food which the mother finds, and 

 often find it for themselves. They gather under the 

 wings of the mother for warmth, and sometimes for 

 protection, but rush from her in such danger as she 

 cannot protect them from. 



The Opossum and all the marsupial tribe, have 

 young more immature than other animals, but the 

 mother has a pouch, in which they are securely 

 carried. Their imperfect development, at birth, 

 is just supplemented by this curious special struct- 

 ure in the parent. These are instances for illus- 

 tration, but the result may be summed up thus : 

 The structure and Instinct of the yoiuig at birth, and 

 th£ structure and Instinct of the mother combi7ied, 

 are just sufficient to give the young a fair chance 

 in the world, so that the species may be preserved ; — 

 07ie of these elements supplements the other. If the 

 chances are still largely against the individual, so 

 that the species would seem to be in danger, then 

 the number of individuals from a single parent is 

 increased. 



The same law holds in general, in the human 

 race. The child is one of the most helpless of all 

 beings, as it commences life ; and it is dependent 

 upon the care of others much longer than any other 

 animal with which we are acquainted. But its long 

 years of helplessness are provided for in the natural 



