THE BEE. 121 



the theory treated so lightly by Mr. Spence, which 

 defines iastinct as "a predisposition to certain ac- 

 tions where certain sensations exist." 



And Dr. Carpenter, whose acquaintance with the 

 whole kingdom of organic life gives to his views of 

 animal nature an additional claim upon our earnest 

 consideration, endeavours also to ascribe some kind of 

 limits to instinct, and in his summary of the various 

 phases of animal life he attributes this quality more 

 especially to those races of animals included in the in- 

 vertebrate series, commencing with the higher Radiata 

 (e. g. the Star-fish), and ending with the Hymeno- 

 pterous group of insects, whereof we know our little 

 Hive-Bee to be a prominent member : ia this group 

 the quality of instinct attains, according to his views, 

 the highest development. 



In the creatures, on the other hand, that rank 

 higher and hwer in the scale than those just referred 

 to, he traces a gradual disappearance of instinct, which, 

 ia the lower, is supplanted by " contractility," or the 

 mere mechanical action accompanying organic life, 

 and ia the higher by those psychical or mental faculties 

 known as reason and intelligence*. To these views 

 we shall refer agaia hereafter. But, reader, although 

 these naturalists and physiologists thus circumscribe 

 the character and operations of iastinct, there have 

 been metaphysicians ia all ages who were disposed to 

 accord a wider range and significance to the term ; 

 and, as a typical illustration of the opiaions enter- 

 * ' Comparative Physiology,' 4th edit. p. 704 



G 



