THE NATURE OF ANIMALITY. 213 



stitution of its conscious principle, we have a clue to the 

 solution of the question as to the nature of that conscious 

 principle, as distinguished from the rational consciousness of 

 man. We are led to see that all the conditions of the con- 

 sciousness of the animal are, in given circumstances, pre- 

 determined for it. The consciousness of the animal is not 

 called upon to pass through a series of phases, or to go 

 through processes under the guidance of a higher reason as 

 in man. The mental processes in the animal are simple and 

 direct ; and, moreover, it cannot transgress their laws. 



24 Up to this point we have traced the peculiar character 

 of the consciousness of the animal, in relation to its sensations 

 and perceptions. If we assume, as we may again safely do, 

 that the animal conscious principle has its processes in rela- 

 tion to its emotions, appetites, passions, social impulses, and 

 special habits, strictly predetermined in its own constitution ; 

 then it follows, that all its actions in relation to these various 

 conditions must be directly' and precisely fulfilled The 

 animal consciousness, then, cannot have presented to it any 

 question in reference to any of its so-called emotions, appe- 

 tites, and passions. It allays each and all of them according 

 to their urgency, and therein instinctively acts up to the 

 design of its Creator. The mental processes of the animal 

 are simple and direct. It cannot transgress laws unless man 

 leads it wrong. 



25. Again, that phase of the consciousness of an animal 

 in which it appears to determine an act, or to exercise a will, 

 is undoubtedly a condition strictly predetermined for it, in 

 SO far that the act can only be resolved upon and accom- 

 plished under certain conditions. An animal has no will, 

 in the proper sense of the term. In like manner, it cannot 

 be conceived to possess a choice between righ.1 and wrong 

 action or Lnftcl ion. 



2G. All the conditions of the conscious principle of an 



