158 HUMBLE CREATURES. 



or with man, and in ourselves it is quickened by the 

 observation of Nature, the association with man, 

 and by communion with the Infinite. These higher 

 qualities have been variously designated as Reason, 

 Intelligence, and Understanding. 



Thirdly, that in the present imperfect state of our 

 knowledge it is impossible to define with exactitude 

 in which groups or genera of animals the higher 

 or intelligent nature is first foimd in combination 

 with the lower or mechanical ; and many of the acts 

 of the higher invertebrates are capable of being attri- 

 buted either to instinctive impulses or to imperfect 

 reflection. 



Fourthly. The most important result of our brief 

 review, and the one likely to be of the most service in 

 future inquiries, is that the same uniformity and re- 

 gularity of purpose is traceable in the psychical or 

 mental as in the physical or bodily structure of the 

 animated tribes; the perfect nature of the lower 

 types being repeated in the imperfectly developed 

 phases of the higher, and nobler quaUties being added 

 in each succeeding stage of progress j so that the 

 beautiful web of hfe appears to have been woven with 

 a constant accumulation of varying threads, and aU 

 taken up and held by the unseen hand of the Author 

 and Supporter of existence. 



Having now brought our investigations to a close, 

 there remains to us the task of reflecting, in the ex- 

 ercise of that reason or intelligence which we have 



