134 ON ZOOLOGV. 



and no doubt for very wise purposes ; since 

 human actions, in early life, are too often in- 

 fluenced by a fluctuating judgment, and there- 

 fore, if not occasionally regulated by parental 

 admonition, might involve the individual in irre- 

 parable difficulties. 



In the infant itself, the instinctive character 

 is still more exquisitely marked. Its very first 

 action, namely that of crying immediately after 

 birth, is decidedly to be attributed to the impulse 

 of instinct; since it is the natural consequence of 

 the first admission of atmospherical air into the 

 lungs, by which their excitement is called into 

 action ; and as its object is to promote their ex- 

 pansion, and as it is unconnected with any mental 

 feeling, it is only to be considered a natural ope- 

 ration, in which reason can have no concern. 



The early process on the part of the infant of 

 taking its food (and which is applicable to all 

 sucking animajs) is also derived from the same 

 source ; since no choice is displayed, and the 

 action can at any time be produced by the appli- 

 cation of a substance that will excite the muscles 

 of the tongue. The operation therefore is mecha- 

 nical, and altogether unconnected with conscious- 

 ness or voluntary motion. 



The crying of children for some time subse- 

 quent to their birth, may also only be considered 

 an instinctive expression of uneasiness or pain 

 which nature has caused for the purpose qf calling 



