214 THE NATURE OF ANIMALITY. 



animal, whether they be induced by objects from without, or 

 originate in the inner or proper processes of the conscious 

 principle itself, or exhibit themselves under the aspect of a 

 will, would thus appear to be as fully predetermined in the 

 economy of the animal's specific conscious principle, as are 

 the specific structures provided for its corporeal economy. 



27. We apply the term instinct to the collective manifes- 

 tations of the peculiar co-ordinated, and consequently pre- 

 determined conscious principle of the animal. It is evident 

 that the term conscious, when applied to the mental principle 

 of an animal, must be understood in a modified form. Man 

 is conscious not only of feeling, thinking, and acting, but he 

 is also conscious that every feeling is followed by an act of 

 thought ; and that thought itself is a process which neces- 

 sarily precedes an act of will. He is, moreover, conscious 

 that he may act or not as he pleases. He is conscious of 

 being able to resist the impulses of his emotions, appetites, 

 passions, and of regulating his entire economy by his con- 

 scious principle. I allude to these characteristics of the 

 human consciousness at present, for the purpose of producing 

 a clearer impression on your minds of the nature of animality, 

 when contrasted with the essential features of humanity. 



