8 Psychological Distinctions between Man and Brutes. 



Corvidse ; and a tame marsh tit that I once possessed used 

 habitually to drop the remainder of the almond, or piece of 

 suet, that he had been picking, into the water-glass attached 

 to the cage, although he never could thence reobtain it, and 

 though his water was thus daily rendered turbid. I could 

 narrate analogous instances without number. 



Thus it plainly appears, that the instinct of each animal is 

 adapted to its proper sphere; for the mode of life it was 

 destined to pursue, and for that only. With this restriction 

 (if such it can be called), it is in each case perfect. The 

 actions of every creature uncontrolled and uninfluenced by 

 man are invariably such as tend to the general welfare of its 

 species ; sometimes collectively, however, rather than indi- 

 vidually * (whence we hear of what have been termed "mis- 

 takes of instinct"). They evince superhuman wisdom, 

 because it is innate, and, therefore, instilled by an all-wise 

 Creator. Indeed, the unpremeditated resource of animals, 

 in cases of emergency, is oftentimes decidedly superior to 

 that of man ; and why ? Because they need not experience 

 for their guide, but are prompted to act aright by intuition. 



In wild nature, this inborn knowledge of brutes thus abun- 

 dantly sufficing for the attainment of all they require, there 

 is, in consequence, but little to stimulate the exercise of their 

 reflective faculties ; and, accordingly, their general agency 

 may be considered as passive, in effect analogous to the 

 operation of the laws of matter. Even the " half-reasoning 

 elephant," in the wild woods, is but a creature of unreflecting 

 impulse, to an extent which wholly dissevers it from all com- 

 munity of mental attribute with the lowest grade of mankind. 

 Witness the subdued tamed animal, which, travelling along 

 its accustomed route, suddenly broke loose from its at- 

 tendants, affrighted at the near yell of a tiger. At once its 

 former submissiveness was forgotten: it rejoined the wild 

 troops, and was again a free tenant of the jungle. Years 

 rolled on, and it was retaken by the ordinary method. The 

 sight of the stakes never sufficed to awaken its recollection ; 

 nor did the mode employed to secure it when entrapped. It 

 was sullen and savage, and acted in nowise differently from 

 its companions. By chance, however, its former keeper was 

 present, who, after a while, recognised the animal. He gave 

 the word of command, and it was instantly submissive; all 

 traces of its wild nature suddenly dissipated; its previous 

 habits were forgotten : it was once more a reclaimed animal, 



* As in the contests of animals for the other sex; whence it follows 

 that the breed is chiefly transmitted bv the most stout and healthy. 



