120 riBHES AND nSHING. 



animals of the mouse kind, equal the human subject. 

 Sommering has furnished another point of compari- 

 son, which appears to be correct, namely, the ratio 

 ■which the mass of the brain bears to the nerves 

 issuing from it. Let the brain be divided into two 

 parts, that which is immediately connected with the 

 sensorial extremities of the nerves, which receive 

 their impressions, and is, therefore, devoted to the 

 purposes of animal existence. The second division 

 will include the rest of the brain, which may be 

 considered as connecting the functions of the nerves, 

 with the faculties of the mind. In proportion, then, 

 as any animal possesses more of the latter and more 

 noble part, that is, as this intellectual portion exceeds 

 that of the external senses, will the powers of mind 

 be more clearly developed : thus man stands pre- 

 eminent ! 



The motions and habits of some created beings are 

 regulated by certain innate feelings, which are gene- 

 rally denominated "instinct;" this means an inherent 

 mode of action, without choice or reason. From the 

 nature of the medium which is the natural habita- 

 tion of fish, the most anxious and careful naturalist 

 is prevented from acquiring more than a very super- 

 ficial knowledge of the habits, propensities, modes of 

 life, communications with each other, which, as some 

 live in society, called gregarious fish, it is probable 



