INSTINCTS. 199 



CHAPTER X\^II1 



INSTINCTS. 



The order may not be very obvious by which I place 

 instincti next to relations. But I consider them as a species 

 of relation. They contribute, along with the animal organ- 

 ization, to a joint effect, in which view they are related to 

 that organization. In many cases, they refer from one ani- 

 mal to another animal ; and when this is the case, become 

 strictly relations in a second point of view. 



An INSTINCT is a propensity prior to experience and inde- 

 pendent of instruction. We contend that it is by insti7ict 

 that the sexes of animals seek each other ; that animals 

 cherish their offspring ; that the young quadruped is directed 

 to the teat of its dam ; that birds build their nests and brood 

 with so much patience upon their eggs ; that insects which 

 do not sit upon their eggs, deposit them in those particular 

 situations in which the young when hatched find their ap- 

 propriate food ; that it is instinct which carries the salmon, 

 and some other fish, out of the sea into rivers, for the pur- 

 pose of shedding their spav/n in fresh water, 



\Ye may select out of this catalogue the incubation of 

 eggs. I entertain no doubt but that a couple of sparrows 

 hatched in an oven, and kept separate from the rest of their 

 species, would proceed as other sparrows do in every office 

 which related to the production and preservation of their 

 brood. Assuming this fact, the thing is inexplicable upon 

 any other hypothesis than that of an instinct impressed upon 

 the constitution of the animal. For, first, what should in- 

 duce the female bird to prepare a nest before she lays her 

 eggs ? It is in vain to suppose her to be possessed of the 

 faculty of reasoning ; for no reasoning will reach the case. 

 The fulness or distention which she might feel in a partic- 

 ular part of the body, from the growth and solidity of the 

 Qgg within her, could not possibly inform her that she was 



