THE 



AMERICAN 



GARDENER'S MAGAZINE. 



SEPTEMBER, 1835. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. M err ation from Animal Instinct. By J. L. R***###. 



The economy of the animal creation is at all times a great 

 and constant source of deep and interesting study. The 

 singular provisions of nature for the support and preserva- 

 tion of the numerous and diversified forms of animals, strike 

 us with amazement. The imperfect faculty of reason, which 

 we in our ignorance of understanding can only term instinct, 

 leads us to the most curious and interesting reflections on the 

 wisdom of Creative Power. We are thus apt to deem it an 

 infallible and imperative law, which, guiding the being in 

 which it exists, becomes as it were assimilated with its very 

 organization. Yet it is very evident, that this same " blind " 

 instinct is capable of education, under favorable or fortuitous 

 circumstances. Instances almost innumerable may be ad- 

 duced, where such circumstances have occurred, and in con- 

 sequence, the blind instinctive law has been violated. 



A singular instance of this fell under the writer's obser- 

 vation on a late visit to his friends. Believing that every 

 incident, however seemingly trifling, is of importance to the 

 study of nature, and of interest to every lover of the same, 

 he has ventured to communicate it, through the medium of 

 your pages. 



Early in February of the present year, a summer parlor, 

 which had been closed since the autumn, had occasion to be 

 opened. Notwithstanding the unusual severity of the sea- 

 son, the excellent lady of the house was surprised to find 

 therein an unexpected and unbidden guest, who, not waiting 

 until the usual compliments of invitation were issued, had 



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