302 EVOLUTION OF TO-DAY. 



that this distinction is only a relative one. In the 

 first place, few would be inclined to doubt that ani- 

 mals possess a certain amount of reasoning power. 

 At all events this is true if we are allowed to use 

 the same rules which we apply to human actions. 

 Animals certainly perceive the relations of means 

 to the end in certain cases, and this, if we can 

 judge from appearances, is reason. Whether those 

 acts are the results of association of ideas, or of 

 a deeper reasoning process, is immaterial at this 

 point. They are at all events not instinctive. On 

 the other hand man possesses instincts. As such 

 may be mentioned the actions of a new-born child 

 before the slightest dawn of intellect, sucking, etc. 

 Darwin also tells us, as we shall see later, that the 

 feeling urging us to do right and avoid wrong is 

 an instinct. 



The chief authorities upon the matter of instinct 

 are Darwin and Geo. Romanes. They tell us that 

 instincts are simply inherited habits, and may, there- 

 fore, be possessed by men as well as by animals. 

 Animals acquire a certain habit either by accident 

 or by intelligence. If this habit proves of use to 

 them it will cause their prosperity and preservation. 

 The same habit will be acquired thus for many gen- 

 erations, until at last it becomes so firmly estab- 

 lished in the race that it is transmitted from one 

 generation to another, and is, therefore, an instinct. 

 That instincts may be acquired in this manner, is 

 shown by the instinct of the shepherd dog. These 

 dogs have been taught to herd sheep. Generation 

 after generation has this habit been acquired, until 



