276 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



ly appointed for its production. Besides, the malevolent af- 

 fections, if they do exist, must be destined to inflict pain on 

 the individual exercising them ; since they are always ac- 

 companied with emotions in him who indulges them, equally 

 unpleasant as those likely to be excited in the objects of his 

 displeasure. Such a view of the principles which regulate 

 animated nature, has never been warranted by observa- 

 tion, nor contemplated by reflection. 



Before closing this account of the instinctive or active 

 powers, it may be thought necessary that we should offer a 

 few observations on the temperament of animals, or the 

 relative facility with which the instinctive powers of indi- 

 viduals or species can be excited. On this subject, how- 

 ever, little precise information has been obtained. The 

 temperaments are usually divided into four kinds, the san- 

 guineous, excited readily, slightly and transiently; the 

 choleric, excited readily, violently and transiently ; the 

 melancholic, excited slowly, but more permanently; and 

 the phlegmatic, excited with difficulty. There are various 

 modifications of these, which do not, however, merit a par- 

 ticular enumeration. The laws which regulate the temper- 

 aments of animals have never been developed ; and the 

 subject seems scarcely to admit of illustration. We ob- 

 serve such variety in the individuals of the same species, 

 and even in the same individual at different times, as to 

 baffle all attempts to generalise. Carnivorous animals are, 

 in general, the most easily excited, and the most violent ; 

 piscivorous animals are less violent, while herbivorous ani- 

 mals, on the other hand, are possessed of gentler disposi- 

 tions. But these remarks apply to particular instincts 

 merely, and do not embrace all the active powers. Even the 

 same individual differs with regard to particular instincts. 

 How phlegmatic is the hen, in general, in her appetites and 

 desires; but while rearing her young, how choleric? Even 



