CHARACTERISTICS OF REFLEX AND INSTINCTIVE ACTIONS. 527 
continually observed that when the stomach of the Polype is 
full, its arms do not make any attempt to seize objects that 
touch them ; so that small worms, insects, &c., which would 
at other times be entra pped, may now come near them with 
impunity. It has been supposed that this results from an act 
of choice on the part of the animal, and that its choice is 
enced by its consciousness that its stomach is supplied 
food. It must seem improbable that an Animal which 
uty resembles Plants in its general habits, and in which 
€ nervous system is so obscure that it has not yet been dis- 
should possess mental endowments of so high a 
sharacter ; and we may find, in studying our own functions, 
a circumstance exactly parallel to that just mentioned. For 
hen we commence eating, with a good appetite, we may 
notice that the muscles of Deglutition act very readily; but 
when we are completely satisfied, it is often difficult to excite 
these muscles to contraction, so as to swallow another morsel, 
even though, for the gratification of our palate, we may desire 
to do so. Thus we see how much better a guide we find in 
Nature, for the amount of food we require, than in our own 
ampered tastes. 
| 694. The first class, that of Refiex movements, has been 
‘already considered in sufficient detail ; but it is intended, in 
ihe present chapter, to offer some examples of those of the 
cond and third classes,—those actions, namely, which are 
mided by Instinct and Intelligence respectively. These actions 
hay be usually distinguished by the two following tests :— 
. Although, in most cases, experience is required to give the 
Vill command over the muscles concerned in its operations, 
© experience or education is required, in order that the dif- 
erent actions which result from an Instinctive impulse may 
ow one another with unerring precision. 2. Instinctive 
actions are performed by the different individuals of the same 
Species, nearly, if not exactly, in the same manner ; present- 
ing no such variation of the means applied to the objects in 
Niew, and admitting of no such improvements in the progress 
bf life, or in the succession of ages, as we observe in the 
liabits of individual Men, or in the manners and customs of 
nations, which are for the most part adapted to the attainment 
4 particular ends, by voluntary efforts guided and directed 
7 reason.— Where, as in the examples hereafter to be men- 
