IX.] ANIMAL AUTOMATISM. 233 



suppose that any complex natural phenomenon comes 

 into existence suddenly, and without being preceded 

 by simpler modifications ; and very strong arguments 

 would be needed to prove that such complex pheno- 

 mena, as those of consciousness, first make their 

 appearance in man. We know, that, in the individual 

 man, consciousness grows from a dim glimmer to its 

 full light, whether we consider the infant advancing 

 in years, or the adult emerging from slumber and 

 swoon. We know, further, that the lower animals 

 possess, though less developed, that part of the brain 

 which we have every reason to believe to be the organ 

 of consciousness in man ; and as, in other cases, func- 

 tion and organ are proportional, so we have a right to 

 conclude it is with the brain ; and that the brutes, 

 though they may not possess our intensity of conscious- 

 ness, and though, from the absence of language, they 

 can have no trains of thoughts, but only trains of 

 feelings, yet have a consciousness which, more or less 

 distinctly, foreshadows our own. 



I confess that, in view of the struggle for existence 

 which goes on in the animal world, and of the fright- 

 ful quantity of pain with which it must be accom- 

 panied, I should be glad if the probabilities were in 

 favour of Descartes' hypothesis; but, on the other 

 hand, considering the terrible practical consequences 

 to domestic animals which might ensue from any error 

 on our part, it is as well to err on the right side, if we 

 err at all, and deal with them as weaker brethren, who 

 are bound, like the rest of us, to pay their toll for 

 living, and suffer what is needful for the general good. 



