18 



OF PARENTAL AFFECTION AND ATTACHMENT. 



No instinct is, in general, more strong 

 than that which attaches the parent to its 

 offspring, for it sometimes induces the for- 

 mer to perish in defence of the latter, which 

 have no other protector. Yet this instinct 

 is very variable, and sometimes even want- 

 ing in particular instances j occasionally, 

 animals neglect their young, and leave them 

 to perish ; nay, sometimes they injure and 

 destroy them. This instinct generally be- 

 longs to females, but the male also may 

 possess it. All these facts are equally true 

 with respect to the human race, in which 

 this instinct evidently operates indepen- 

 dently of reason ; for though rational con- 

 siderations may dictate and enforce mater- 

 nal care, they can never produce maternal 

 affection. 



