Further Illustrations of the Subject. 353 



inundations through the kingdom, that will not readily be for- 

 gotten. 



" This account of the Field-fare sets the fact of migration, though 

 from an accidental cause, beyond the reach of doubt. There was 

 no support for it here ; the ground was deeply covered with snow, 

 and the intense frost, by its long duration, had destroyed every 

 thing that could aflford it succour ; it must, therefore, have taken 

 a long flight from this country, and returned to it again at the 

 approach of temperate weather." 



All the lower animals possess invariable or uniform instinct in 

 greater or less degrees : let us therefore consider what results are 

 involved in the admission that they possess a mixed nature, in- 

 cluding, besides this species of instinct, a portion of proper essen- 

 tial intelligence, enabling them to form conclusions by free agency. 

 What would be the inevitable consequence of such a mixture of 

 principles, — but that the instinctive part of their nature would be, 

 sooner or later, annihilated ; or, at least, perverted ? Could this 

 free principle be confined to this or that act? — would it not, like 

 a newly created luminary, dart its penetrating rays through every 

 lower principle, and elevate its subject to tlie consciousness of 

 Man? — JVould not the Brute regard his ozcn instincts frorn this 

 principle^ in the same manner that Man, who possesses it, regards 

 hin natural appetites, and desires ? — Would not the Brute take 

 a survey of his lower powers, and would he not, as man docs, 

 either rightly use or pervert them, as he pleased ? were they thus 

 made objective to him ; I really do not see how an affirmative 

 answer can be withheld. It seems most evident that any con- 

 scious principle of intelligence must be essentially Jree in its 

 nature ; and that if brutes could act from it at all, they must be 

 allowed the faculty of reflection ; and this granted, their instincts 

 would serve as a basis for its emploT/ment and extensioji. 



The Balcena Mysticetus, L ; or common Greenland Whale, — • 

 an animal not deficient in sagacity, — could it but thus regard its 

 instincts in an objective form, would defy the power and strata- 

 gems of man. The consciousness of its amazing strength would 

 silence its fears, and it would turn upon its assailants with certain 

 destruction; or, preferring flight to combat, would outstrip the 



Vol. I. 2 a 



