INSTINCT, OR ANIMAL MIND. 35 



similar to that of the beast, and a divine one, the soul, implanted 

 by 0...1. 



The beasts have no soul or spiritual existence. Their mind 

 being merely a property of earthly matter, and of earthly origin, 

 returns to the dust from whence it came. They know not sin 

 nor do wrong. Being guided by nature, all species of animals have 

 their own instincts. They have appetites, but no desires. 

 Their only object in life is to satisfy their wants, to preserve 

 and defend themselves from danger, and to increase their kind. 

 Thus it is they know what to eat, and what to avoid, while 

 they are also provided with a suitable defence in danger. The 

 fox has cunning, the flying fish wings, the porcupine bristles, 

 and so on indefinitely. 



But how is it they can know beforehand of the near approach 

 of storms ? 



If their appetites, or the material composing their bodies, 

 infallibly regulate them in their choice of natural food, and of 

 the unfailing remedy to be taken when they are sick ; what is 

 more probable than that the gaseous adjuncts of their minds, 

 being of similar material to the atmosphere, should inform 

 them of every change about to take place in it. If so-called 

 inanimate substances like mercury, salt, etc., should be so 

 sensitive to atmospheric changes, how much more would an 

 animate body feel them, whose mind we might say is all nature 

 itself? 



It may be asked, how is it that the mind of the young animal 

 is so perfect 1 Because it is transmitted by the parent. 



If a hen gives to her feiood, wings, beaks, legs, toes, 

 feathers, &c., similar to herself, and not similar to a duck ; 

 she must give them appetites, and a mind, also, similar to 



