FACULTIES OF THE MIND. 259 



riosity ; and seldom relinquishes the pursuit willingly, until 

 he has gained the information which he desires. 



5. Society. This instinct, like curiosity, is not common 

 to all animals. There are many species, as the oyster and 

 bernacle, which appear to be incapable, from their fixed 

 station, of acquiring any knowledge of the existence of in- 

 dividuals of their species. Others, on the contrary, are 

 social from necessity, as the Mollusca Tunicata, and many 

 zoophytes, constantly growing in groups, or inseparably 

 connected by bodily organization. Even among the free 

 animals, many seem to prefer a life of solitude, and exhibit 

 no desire, unless perhaps during the season of love, of 

 associating with other animals, or even with the individuals 

 of their species. 



But in those animals in which'this instinct prevails, it ex- 

 hibits its controul, independent of any feelings which the 

 appetites excite. Among gregarious animals, we observe, 

 with some, the social union so intimate, that this instinct ap- 

 pears to be essentially necessary to their existence, or, at 

 least, to the continuance of their race. Thus, bees congregate 

 by an irresistible impulse of this instinct, and it is only when 

 united that they can perform all the functions, and enjoy all 

 the comforts of their existence. In those animals, where this 

 union is necessary, we perceive such admirable arrangements 

 exhibited by this instinct, such subordination of purpose, 

 and such co-operation of means, that we may consider it 

 one of the most curious, wonderful, and complicated of trie 

 active powers. 



In many cases this desire operates, although its action 

 is not connected with the immediate wants of the indivi- 

 dual. Thus we observe rooks congregating, although, as 

 far as we are able to judge, each pair could subsist, though 

 unconnected with a flock, and even obtain a more copious 

 supply of food than when surrounded with numerous corn- 

 it 2 



