276 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 
ly appointed for its production. Besides, the malevolent af- 
fections, if they do exist, must be destined to inflict pain on 
the individual exercising them; since they are always ac- 
companied with emotions in him who indulges them, equally 
unpleasant as those likely to be excited m the objects of his 
displeasure. Such a view of the principles which regulate 
animated nature, has never been warranted by observa- 
tion, nor contemplated by reflection. 
Before closing this account of the instinctive or active 
powers, it may be thought necessary that we should offer a 
few observations on the temperament of animals, or the 
relative facility with which the instinctive powers of indi- 
viduals or species can be excited. On this subject, how- 
ever, little precise information has been obtained. 'The 
temperaments are usually divided into four kinds, the san- 
g@uineous, excited readily, shghtly and transiently ; the 
choleric, excited readily, violently and transiently ; the 
melancholic, excited slowly, but more permanently; and 
the phlegmatic, excited with difficulty. There are various 
modifications of these, which do not, however, merit a par- 
ticular enumeration. ‘The laws which regulate the temper- 
aments of animals have never been developed; and the 
subject seems scarcely to admit of illustration. We ob- 
serve such variety m the individuals of the same species, 
and even in the same individual at different times, as to 
baffle all attempts to generalise.. Carnivorous animals are, 
in general, the most easily excited, and the most violent ; 
piscivorous animals are less violent, while herbivorous ani- 
mals, on the other hand, are possessed of gentler disposi- 
tions. But these remarks apply to particular instincts 
merely, and do not embrace all the active powers. Even the 
same individual differs with regard to particular instincts. 
How phlegmatic is the hen, m general, in her appetites and 
desires ; but while rearing her young, how choleric ? Even 
