CHAP. III. PASSIONS IN GENERAL. 6S 



of each other's wants and feelings, which is implied 

 both by voice, look, and action. In many cases, how- 

 ever, this communication is, doubtless, carried on in a 

 way which we cannot comprehend, and by tones which 

 we are at a loss to interpret. But those intonations in 

 the voice, which we may not be able to catch, are per- 

 fectly understood by the animals themselves. It is 

 well known that the ewe and her lamb can distinguish 

 each other, even in the most numerous flocks ; and that, 

 when separated for a time, and again turned loose into 

 the field, the latter instantly recognises the well-known 

 voice of its dam, and skips joyfully up to her the in- 

 stant it hears her bleat. 



(80.) The various emotions and desires which 

 these signs and sounds so faithfully express, deserve a 

 full consideration ; for they open a more interesting 

 view of the animal world, unlocking, as it were, the 

 bosoms of its mute inhabitants, and giving a fresh in- 

 sight into their nature and characters. We see im- 

 pressed upon them feelings of the most amiable nature ; 

 and we behold them obeying the calls of affection, 

 and with tender care devoting their whole attention to 

 the nurture and preservation of their offspring, exerting 

 all their skill and summoning up all their powers in 

 their service. We discover them, also, in many in- 

 stances, giving the most affecting proofs of connubial 

 attachment, and exhibiting a faithful love ef even unto 

 death ; " while in others we view them actuated by an 

 apparent sense of benefits received, from which man 

 might too often learn that lesson of gratitude which his 

 perverse nature has failed to teach him. This intuitive 

 tenderness in the brute creation, however, is also 

 mingled with passions of a darker hue, whose violence 

 is unchecked by reflection, and unrestrained by the 

 mild dictates of religion, although even these, by 

 the wise ordination of Providence, are subjected in 

 some cases to the dominion of man ; matter submitting 

 to the domination of mind, and instinct yielding to 

 reason. 



