FACULTIES OF THE MIND. 273 



field, some of them may always be perceived on the watch, 

 while the others are at work ; and these, upon the near 

 approach of a man or a dog, instantly give the signal to 

 their obedient companions. 



In many cases, this instinct is not confined to giving 

 warning of danger, but prompts to the communication of 

 news of food. This is familiarly illustrated in the disinterest- 

 ed conduct of the cock, who, upon finding a store of food, 

 immediately calls the members of his family to the feast. 

 It is, perhaps, by a prostituted use of this instinct, that the 

 decoy ducks seduce the unsuspecting flocks into the netted 

 ponds in the fenny districts of Lincolnshire, communicating 

 to them some prospect of food or shelter, which, when em- 

 braced, leads to capture and death. 



In some cases, this affection for the species, while it is 

 generally in exercise towards the tribe, is more especially 

 directed towards a particular individual. In the human 

 race, where this selection is termed friendship, the choice 

 is influenced by similarity of pursuits or principles, some- 

 times by the habits of acquaintance. Among the lower 

 animals, we frequently observe similar instances of the par- 

 tialities of friendship, without being able to trace them with 

 any certainty to their source. 



In some cases, the social affection extends even beyond 

 the individuals of the species to those of other species, 

 whose organization and habits are widely different. Thus, 

 man often forms a very strong attachment to the horse ; 

 and the dog, by habit, prefers our society to that of the in- 

 dividuals of his own kind*. 



* The late Mr MONTAGU, in the Supplement to his Ornithological Die. 

 tionary, article " Grey Lag Goose," relates the following singular attach- 

 merit which subsisted between a female China goose and a pointer, who had 

 VOL. T. S 



