OF NATURAL HISTOa^V. 1 Q^ 



on inftindt, cannot with propriety be called inilindive knowl- 

 edge, but knowledge derived from experience and obfen'atipn. 

 Inftinft fhould be limited to fuch aftions as every individual o£ 

 a fpecies exerts without the aid either of experience or imitation. 

 Hence inftinft may be defined, * Every original quality of mind 

 < which produces particular feelings or anions, when the proper 

 ' obJ€<Ss are prefented to it.' Thefe qualities or inllincls vary 

 in particular fpecies. Some are endowed with many, and 

 others with few. In fomethey are ftronger, in others weaker ;,, 

 and their ftrength or weaknefs feems to be exaclly proportion-, 

 ed to their number. The diiTcrence of talents among men who 

 have had the fame culture ariiles from a bluntnefs, or abfolute 

 deprivation of fome original or modified inflindls. Tade, or 

 love of particular objedls, whether animated, inanimated, or ar- 

 tificial, is in fome men fo obtufe, that we often fay it is entirely 

 waating. Infefls have fewer inftinfts than men or quadru- 

 peds ; but the exertions of infers are fo uniform and flcady, 

 that they excite the admiration of every beholder. 



Senfation imphes a fentient principle or mind. Whatever 

 feels, therefore, is mind. Of courfe, the lo-vved fpecies of ani- 

 mals are endowed with mind : But the minds of animals have 

 very different powers ; aixl thefe powers are exprclTed by pecu- 

 liar aftions. The ftruAure of their bodies is uniformly adapt- 

 ed to the powers of their minds. We never fee a ma'ure ani- 

 mal attempting adiioiis which Nature has not enabled it to per- 

 form, by bellowing on it proper indiruments. A bee colleds- 

 the materials of honey and wax, but attempts not to gnaw rot- 

 ten wood, like the vvafp. Neither docs pcculia'-ity of llrufture 

 prompt the adlions of brutes. Calves pufh with their heads 

 long before their horns are grown. This, and fimilar examples, 

 fhew, that the inftincls of brutes exid previous to the expan- 

 fion of thofe inftrumcuts which Nutuie intended they flioald 

 employ. 



