248 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



did not succeed. The plotter against the rats could 

 observe the head of one of them, old and sagacious, 

 peering out at hole after hole, and from under the 

 manger, for the purpose of reconnoitring, but none of 

 them descended. Having waited half an hour to no 

 purpose, he let in the dogs, and in a few moments they 

 were again feeding in perfect harmony. Had he not 

 ascertained this, he might have supposed that altering 

 the position of the trough, or some other trifling altera- 

 tion, had aroused the suspicion of the rats ; but now 

 they seemed to be aware that their safety was connected 

 with the presence of the dogs. 



The instances of animal sagacity, so freely inter- 

 spersed with the brief account of British Quadrupeds, 

 now reaching its conclusion, cannot have failed to 

 awaken in the bosoms of many readers, wonder, admi- 

 ration, and delight. It should, however, be remarked, 

 that a narrow limit, after all, has been assigned to in- 

 stinct \ while far beyond its range we can go, because 

 " there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the 

 Almighty giveth him understanding." How amazing 

 are the faculties of the human soul !< all admirably 

 adapted to each other, so that each is essential to the 

 perfection of the rest. Were but one wanting, the 

 other powers could not discharge their functions ; dis- 



