Reason and Instinct. 5579 



peculiar to the former, nor is instinct peculiar to the latter. Even as 

 regards insects which are generally and properly regarded as being 

 below the vertebrate animals in the scale of existence, and whose 

 nervous system is of so simple a structure as to admit of no comparison 

 with that of the human subject, we cannot well hesitate to believe 

 that they are not altogether deprived of that higher faculty which 

 enables ourselves to apply the results of our experience to the new 

 circumstances under wliich we are placed. * * * We see, among 

 the Mammalia and birds, even those wliich are the least intelligent, 

 nevertheless availing themselves of the lessons of experience, and 

 adapting their proceedings to the new circumstances under wliich 

 they are placed." (Phys. Res. pp. 189, 194.) 



I ask attention to the italicised portions of this extract, in con- 

 nexion with a very few further remarks. The flycatcher mentioned 

 below* migrated by instinct, paired by instinct, built its nest and in- 

 cubated its eggs by instinct; but did not frequent its own peculiar 

 post (see Yarrell, in loco) or bar or branch by instinct, and still less 

 procure shelter from the scorching beams for its young by its own 

 panting exertions and self-sacrifice by instinct. Experience in the 

 former case — the same experience which leads the human seeker after 

 insects to the places he has found most fertile in producing them — 

 and in the latter, observation and thought or reason, or the results of 

 them, were the motives in operation. Again, the bee might build its 

 wonderful cells by instinct, but it was not instinct which induced it, 

 when the comb, unable to bear the weight inclosed, gave way and 

 began to separate — the lower portion from the upper — to build a pillar 

 of support beneath the portion in danger of falling, and that done, 

 then proceed to fill up the space occasioned by the fracture, making 

 good the rent, and conclude by removing the support when the repairs 

 above rendered it no longer necessary. 



A volume of similar illustrations might, with no trouble, except that 

 of selection, be compiled ; but, instead of adducing any others, I shall 

 rather remark that most persons, not much accustomed to systematic 

 thought on this subject, and indurated by unquestioning habit in 

 the familiar dogma that mankind act by reason, and by that are 



■* A spotted flycatcher had built its nest in a grape-vine trained to the wall of a 

 house. By some chance the leaves which screened the nest had died or been removed : 

 the young brood were much distressed in consequence by the heat of the sun, increased 

 as it would be by reflection. The parent bird was observed fluttering for hours 

 together during the hottest part of the day, so as to interpose herself between her 

 fledglings and the sun. 



