i;6 SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS [Ins 



tained. But the fact remains, that when all argument has 

 ceased there is an universal disgust and even horror cherished 

 by men in regard to reptiles. Their intinctive dislike is un- 

 conquered by reasoning. IL. 



Errors of Instinct. 



With respect to instinct, it is important to observe that 

 animals not unfrequently make very curious mistakes. For 

 instance, flies have the instinct of depositing their ova in places 

 where they shall have plenty of food when they arrive at the 

 maggot state, and hence they generally deposit them on flesh, 

 particularly if it happens to be somewhat tainted. Now there 

 are certain species of flowers (as, for example, the Rafflesia 

 Arnoldi, which is a native of Sumatra, and grows to an enormous 

 size) which have a smell of carrion ; on these the flies, deceived 

 by their instinct, deposit their eggs, which, when they become 

 maggots, perish from want of food. The same thing occurs in 

 the case of the Musca vomitoria with respect to various species 

 of Phalli and Agaraci, which possess much of the odour of dead 

 flesh leading to similar mistakes. s. 



The Errors of the Maternal Instinct. 



Ducks' eggs are often put under a hen to be hatched. "When 

 seeking her food, the hen sometimes leads her little flock to the 

 edge of the water, and gives them a glimpse of its dangers. 

 But the ducklings, impelled by instinct, rush into the element 

 they are most partial to. The poor mother, anxious for the fate 

 of the young giddy-pates, which she loves as her own offspring, 

 utters cries of terror. She would resolutely throw herself into 

 the stream and perhaps get drowned were she not soothed by 

 seeing them swimming about happy and active. In the present 

 age when domestic chivalry often runs mad, we are accustomed 

 to hear the maternal instinct represented as divinely right. 

 Here is an instance which points in a contrary direction. The 

 hen hatches eggs in mistake which do not belong to her own 

 order ; and when her ducks desire to act as ducks ought to act, 

 she would fain prevent them. Her foolish solicitude is in fact 



