IJO 



THE PHILOSOPHY 



another finger, he then feems to defpair of being able to efcape, 

 contrads his limbs and body, lies perfedtly motionlefs, and counter- 

 feits every fymptom of death. In this fituation I have pierced fpl- 

 ders with pins, and torn them to pieces, without their difcovering 

 the fmalleft mark of pain. This fimulation of death has been afcri- 

 bed to a ftrong convulfion, or ftupor, occafioned by terror. But this 

 folution of the phaenomenon is erroneous. I have repeatedly tried 

 the experiment, and uniformly found, that, if the objed of terror 

 be removed, in a few feconds the animal runs off with great rapidi- 

 ty. Some beetles, when counterfeiting death, fuffer themfelves to 

 be gradually roafted, without moving a fingle joint. 



It is unneceflary to give more examples of pure inftinds. I fhall 

 therefore proceed to the fecond clafs, namely, 



II. Of Injlinils ivhich can accommodate them/elves to peculiar cir- 

 cumjlances and/ttuations. 



To this clafs many human inftinfts may be referred. But, as 

 thefe inftindive propenfities are likewife highly improveable by ex- 

 perience and obfervation, examples of them will fall more naturally 

 to be given under the third clafs. 



Thofe animals are mofl: perfect whofe fphere of knowledge ex- 

 tends to the greateft number of objeds. When interrupted in their 

 operations, they know how to refume their labours, and to accom- 

 plifli their purpofes by different means. Some animals have no other 

 power but that of contrading or extending their bodies. But the 

 falcon, the dog, and the fox, purfue their prey with intelligence and 

 addrefs. 



The 



