6528 Reason and Instinct 



increase in the volume of the brain beneath the enlarged and more 

 vaulted forehead. 



But can we in any degree account for the original change, contrary 

 to Nature, which renders this second change, in conformity \yith 

 Nature, necessary ? I think we can. Let us bear in mind what is the 

 ascertained result to the brain in the human species by neglect, want 

 of appropriate cerebral stimulus, discontinuance of all intellectual 

 exercise, and the like ; and not only to the brain, but eventually also 

 to the dimensions and form of the bones of the cranium covering the 

 said brain — diminution in quantity, a lower condition of development, 

 and a degraded type of conformation. And next let us look at the 

 condition of the pig, the ox, the sheep and the horse, — regarding 

 them collectively, I mean, and not at all individually or in the way of 

 exception to what must be conceded to be the general rule. Almost 

 everything is done for them, and they are left to their own resources, 

 whether of Intelligence or Instinct, for the supply of scarcely one of 

 their various wants. Treat a human creature and his descendants 

 after him for generations as pigs, cows and sheep are treated ; suffer 

 him to do no more in proportion for himself, nor to have more scope 

 to occupy himself, than they do and have, and what would be the 

 result, however intellectual he might have been to begin with ; how- 

 ever noble and elevated the type of his original cranial configuration ? 

 Why, that in the third generation, or sooner, his understanding, his 

 brain, his skull, would be those of — in one word — an idiot ! No 

 wonder, then, that our stalled horses and cows, with their alternating 

 experience of cow-house and pasture, and nothing besides, — our folded 

 sheep and sty-imprisoned pigs, — are retrograde in their intelligence, 

 their brains, and the fashion and size of their crania. 



Talk of the stupidity, the simple understanding of the sheep ! I do 

 not believe in it. If it be stupid and a fool, it is because man has 

 made it so, — not God. It is not found stupid in its native dwelling- 

 places, and where the hand of man has not brought its blighting 

 influences to bear upon its mind. They are wary enough there ; and 

 difficult as it may be for the sportsman to approach the different 

 species of wild deer, he will not find the task of getting within rifle 

 distance of a wild sheep an easier one — if indeed nearly so easy — in 

 either Asia or America. Such at least is the evidence of Mr. Atkinson, 

 the Siberian traveller, and of Lieut. Ruxton, the traveller in America. 



Even among the black-faced or moor sheep, which abound in all 

 directions on the extensive moors surrounding the place in which I 

 am writing, I have many an opportunity of observing what effect a 



