240 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 
**the least violation of whose authority fills us with re- 
morse ;” ‘* and the greater the sacrifices we make, in obe- 
dience to its suggestions, the greater are our satisfaction 
and triumph.” 
Were this representation true, it would exhibit a very 
gratifying picture of the moral dignity of our race. But, 
alas! if this moral faculty exists, it is in general too feeble 
in its operations to influence the conduct, neither prompt- 
img us to avoid this pictured remorse, nor to grasp at this 
imaginary triumph. 
Among the lower animals, we do not observe any instan- 
ces of their acting contrary to their experience. In a do- 
mesticated state, where laws have been imposed upon them, 
they obey from various motives; the prospect of reward, 
the dread of punishment, and ultimately habit. They are 
aware of the conformity or disagreement of their actions, to 
the standard by which they are tried. Examples of this 
kind of knowledge are daily exhibited in the Ox, Horse, 
and Dog. 
6. Detty.—From the displays of our own power and that 
of others in the production of motion, we are led to attend 
to the changes which take place around us, as the marks of 
some other power ; and by witnessing the variety of means 
which are employed in the accomplishment of these various 
alterations, and the regularity which they exhibit in their 
succession, we arrive at the conclusion, that a Beg, supe- 
rior to man in power and wisdom, exists, and continually 
exerts an influence on the surrounding world. 
So simple is this effort of the mind, and so easily excited 
by the smallest degree of reflection, that the belief in a Su- 
perior Being may be considered as universal among man- 
kind. Nations may be found who have scarcely devised 
signs to express their ideas on this subject, and over whom, 
