16^ THE PHILOSOPKT 



In this manner, all the modified, compounded, or extended 

 paflions and propenfities of the human mind, may be traced ' 

 back to their original inftinas. ■^^f"^^'' ^'3 hiuaii hmhal 



' ' 'Thfe inftinils of brutes are likewife improved by obfer^-^^ 

 tion and experience. A young dog, like a child, requires both 

 lime and art to unfold and perfeft his natural inftinfts. If ne-' 

 gledted by man, he learns from his companions how to a6i in 

 particular fituations : But, when he enjoys both thefe fources ' 

 of information, his talents are improved to a degree that often 

 excites our aftonifliment. The fame remark applies to all do- 

 cile animals, as the elephant, the horfe, the camel, &c. Every 

 man's rccolle6iIon will fupply him with many examples of the 

 improveable talents of brutes ; and, therefore, it is unneceffaty. 

 to be more explicit. " 



Having exhibited inftances of pure inftlna, of inftinfts 

 which accommodate themfelves to peculiar circumftances and 

 fituations, and of inftinfts improveable by obfervation and ; 

 experience, I ftiall now hazard a few remarks. 



From the examples I have given, it appears that inilind is 

 an original quality of mind, which, in many animals, may'b^ ' 

 improved, modified, and extended, by experience ; that fome ' 

 inftinflsare coeval with birth ; and that others, as fear, anger, 

 the principle of imitation, and the power of reafoning, or bal- 

 ancing motives, are gradually unfolded, according to the exi- 

 gencies of the animal. One of the ftrongeft inftinfts appears 

 not till near the age of puberty ; but, by bad example, and 

 improper fituations, this inllin6live defirc is often prematurely 

 excited. The minds of brutes, as well as thofe of men, have 

 original qualities, dellincd for the prefervation of the individ- 

 ual and the continuation of the foecies. The calling forth of 

 thcfe qualities is not cxtir.d, but the exertion or energy of 

 inftina. Inftinas exift before they aa. What man or 

 brutes learn by experience, though this experience be fouudcd 



