MOLLUSCA. 17 



Child. We learn from the accounts of others. 



Teacher. True, we are instructed by the ex- 

 perience of others. But watch any animal, a bee 

 for instance : when it makes its cell, does it try 

 several times before it succeeds ? 



Child. No, it does it perfectly at the first 

 attempt. 



Teacher. It does not then learn by experi- 

 ence ; but has it been taught by its own species ? 



Child. No. 



Teacher. What then is the difference between 

 the principle that guides the bee, and that which 

 guides man ? 



Child. Man learns either by his own experience, 

 or by that of others ; but the bee acts, performs 

 its work correctly without being taught by either. 



Teacher. Yes ; it is directed immediately by 

 a principle implanted in it by the Creator. This 

 principle is called instinct, and is well described 

 as being prior to experience, and independent of 

 instruction. I will now read to you the summary 

 of to-day's lesson attend, that you may be able 

 to write an account of it from recollection. 



SUMMARY. 



Many of the mollusca, though destitute of 

 jointed limbs, have organs of motion ; some have 

 a fleshy expansion extending the length of the 

 body, called a foot ; this is full of muscles, by 

 which it is moved, it acts like a sucker, and the 

 animal advances by fixing the fore part to the 



