i?2 OF INSTINCT. SECT. XVI. 6. 



the di fiances or diameters of their parts, or to dif- 

 tinguifh their vis inertias from rheir hardnefs. Hel- 

 vetius adds, that the fhonnefs of his life, his being 

 fugitive before mankind, and his not inhabiting all 

 climates, combine to prevent his improvement. 

 (De PEfprif. T. i. p.) There is however at this time 

 an old monkey (hewn in Exeter Change, London, 

 who having loft his teeth, when nuts are given tar 

 him, takes a flone into his hand, and cracks them 

 with it one by one ; thus ufmg tools to effect his 

 purpofe like mankind. 



The beaver is another animal that makes ufe of 

 his hands, and if we may credit the reports of tra- 

 vellers, is poffeiTed of amazing ingenuity. This 

 however, Mr. Buffon affirms, is only where they 

 exid in large numbers, and in countries thinly peo- 

 pled with men ; while in France in their folitary 

 flate they (hew no uncommon ingenuity. 



Indeed all the quadrupeds, that have collar-bones, 

 (clavicular) ufe their fore- limbs in fome meafure as 

 we ufe our hands, as the cat, fquirrel, tiger, bear 

 and lion ; and as they exercife the fenfe of touch 

 more univerfally than other animals, fo are they 

 more fagacious in watching and furprifing their 

 prey. All thofe birds, that ufe their claws for 

 hands, as the hawk, parrot, and cuckoo, -appear 

 to be more docile and intelligent ; though the gre- 

 garious tribes of birds have more acquired know- 

 ledge. 



Now as the image?, that are painted on the retina 

 of the eye, are no other than figns, which recall to 

 our imaginations the objects \ve had before exa- 

 mined by the organ of touch, as is fully demon- 

 ftratiid by Dr. Berkley, in his treatife on vifion j it 

 follows that the human creature has greatly more 

 accurate and diftinct fenfe of vifion than that of any 

 other animal. Whence as he advances to maturity- 

 he gradually acquires a fenfe of female beauty, 



which 



