906 Quadrupeds, 



mind are lost or thrown away, for as the clock (to pursue the former 

 simile), if its pendulum or regulator be taken away, is rendered 

 useless, although its action is accelerated ; so if the regulating power 

 of reason be withdrawn from the mind, it is sure (notwithstanding its 

 operations may proceed, and even be rendered more vigorous in con- 

 ception, as we not unfrequently find is the case with lunatics) to lose 

 its balance, and become good for nothing. The power of arranging 

 and applying the ideas with which it is impressed is lost, and it 

 becomes a complete chaos of confusion. 



The above appears to be as concise a definition of what is meant 

 by reasoning power as may be. 



The evidences by which alone we can judge how far any living 

 creature may lay claim to this faculty, are its actions. To a close 

 observer, I am of opinion this will not be a difficult task, even as 

 regards the brute creation. 



" Reason," says Abercrombie, in his interesting work on the Intel- 

 lectual Powers, "has been considered to be that power by which we 

 combine means for accomplishing an end ;" consequently, if we see 

 any living creature evidently comparing facts together, from which to 

 deduce certain conclusions for its own guidance, and making use of 

 certain means to accomplish an end it has in view, in other words, 

 with an apparent knowledge of cause and effect, we must say de- 

 cidedly, that this animal, whatever it may be, possesses intellectual 

 powers. 



Having explained in a few words, and in a way as much in accord- 

 ance with common sense as possible, the nature of reason and the 

 evidences of its existence, I come now to the consideration of in- 

 stinct, a faculty which is enveloped in much mystery, and exceed- 

 ingly difficult to be fully explained or understood. " All the actions 

 of animals," says Dr. Darwin in his ' Zoonomia,' " that are attended 

 with consciousness, and seem neither to have been directed by their 

 appetites, taught by their experience, nor deduced from observation 

 or tradition, have been referred to the power of instinct. And this 

 power has been explained to be a Divine something, a kind of inspi- 

 ration, whilst the poor animal that possesses it has been thought 

 little better than a machine." Another description of the instinct to 

 which the actions of the inferior animals are ascribed, is elsewhere 

 given. It is inferred that they are led to perform certain actions 

 " from the repeated efforts of their muscles under the conduct of their 

 sensations or desires." 



Most people consider instinct in one or other of the lights above 



