THE MAGAZINE 



OF 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



JANUARY, 1837- 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art. I. On the Psychological Distinctions between Man and all 

 other Animals ; and the consequent Diversity of Human In- 

 fluence over the inferior Ranks of Creation, from any mutual 

 and reciprocal Influence exercised among the Latter. By Ed- 

 ward Blyth, Esq. 



There is not, within the wide range of philosophical en- 

 quiry, a subject more intensely interesting to all who thirst 

 for knowledge, than the precise nature of that important 

 mental superiority which elevates the human being above the 

 brute, and enables man alone to assume the sway where- 

 soever he plants his dwelling ; and to induce changes in the 

 constitution and adaptions of other species, which have no 

 parallel where his interference is unknown. 



I am led to offer a few remarks on this subject, by observ- 

 ing continually that the instinctive actions and resource of 

 animals are attributed, most inconsiderately, to the habitual 

 exercise of their reflective faculties ; often where it is utterly 

 and manifestly impossible for them to have observed facts 

 whereon to base those inferences, which alone could have led 

 them, by an inductive process, to adopt the course we find 

 them to pursue. I am perfectly aware that the word 

 " instinct," by not a few, is denounced as a mere cloak for 

 ignorance, as a sort of loophole through which to escape 

 from a rational explanation of phenomena ; but, with all 

 deference to those who advocate this over and above refined 

 notion, I venture to maintain that it has a very definite signi- 

 fication, to express which no other term could be substituted: 

 it implies an innate knowledge, which is not, like human 

 wisdom, derived exclusively from observation and reflection, 

 and to assign a secondary cause for which is clearly impos- 

 sible; wherefore it savours rather, I conclude, of sophistry, 



Vol. I. — No. 1. n. s. b 



