PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



ances, and, considering that there is no danger approaching, 

 fail to do his duty *. 



There are few instances of attempts to give false testi- 

 mony among the inferior animals, which do not appear to 

 arise from the impulse of the instinctive rather than the 

 intellectual powers. The Fox, however, in a tamed state, 

 will often scatter food within the reach of his chain, and 

 then remain motionless until an unwary chicken approach- 

 es the cunning observer. This is an attempt to deceive, 

 not so much by scattering about food, as by lulling asleep 

 all suspicion by his quietness. 



5. Duty. In the examination of our idea of reflection 

 with respect to Duty, moralists have not unfrequently mix- 

 ed with their speculations the notions which they entertain 

 regarding truth. Our ideas of reflection, however, in re- 

 ference to truth, differ from those of duty, in the manner 

 in which they are acquired, the standards by which we 

 judge of their accuracy, and the kind of belief to which 

 they give rise. 



* Dr EDMONDSTON in his u View of the Zetland Islands," gives a very 

 striking illustration of this neglect of the sentinel, in his remarks on the 

 Shag. " Great numbers of this species of the corvorant are sometimes 

 taken during the night while asleep on the rocks, and the mode of accom- 

 plishing it is very ingenious. Large flocks sit, during the night, on project- 

 ing rocks of easy access, but before they commit themselves to sleep, one or 

 two of the number are appointed to watch. Until these sentinels are secur- 

 'ed, it is impossible to make a successful impression on the main body ; and 

 to surprise them, is therefore the first object. With this view, the leader of 

 the expedition creeps cautiously and imperceptibly along the rock, until he 

 get within a short distance of the watch. He then dips a worsted glove in 

 the sea, and gently throws water in the face of the guard. The unsuspect- 

 ing bird, either disliking the impression, or fancying from what he conceives 

 to be a disagreeable state of the weather, that all is quiet and safe, puts his 

 head also under his wing and soon falls asleep. His neck is then immediately 

 broken, and the party dispatch as many as they choose." Vol. ii. p. 253. 



