INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



WE are surrounded on all sides by a world of 

 life, distinct from our own, comprising beings of 

 amazing variety of form, and of many grades of in- 

 telligence and perception. Meeting us at every turn, 

 mixed up with our daily occupations, ministering 

 to our comforts and necessities, it is not surprising 

 that, in all ages, man should have craved to know 

 more of the denizens of this other world, of which 

 he sees so much, and yet knows so little. Of exter- 

 nal faculties, and internal organization, it is apparent 

 that they possess a greater or less community with 

 ourselves, and the degree of this community, the 

 anatomist is able to measure with considerable 

 precision. But of their feelings, affections, and 

 thoughts, we know comparatively nothing, and of 

 their destiny we are utterly and absolutely ignorant. 

 The inquiry will sometimes force itself upon us Is 

 that intelligent principle which we are accustomed 

 to call instinct, but which seems in many cases to 

 differ from reason but in degree, extinguished and 

 annihilated in death ? or does its spark burn with a 



