100 Instinct and Reason. | February, 
either their instinct or reason. But that one or both these prin- 
ciples must be present, can be best seen from their analogy to 
higher forms.’ But if, as Herbert Spencer teaches, instinct is but 
compound reflex action, and if in these lowly beings we observe 
simple reflex action to predominate over compound, it is buta 
step to invest even these transitional forms with some degree of 
instinct. And again following the same author, we cannot fail to 
see, from analogy at least, some degree of reason, however 
slight. 
It is seemingly so immaterial to this class of beings as to their 
place of abode, and so easily and rapidly do they reproduce their 
kind, that it is not surprising that the theory of spontaneous 
generation should have received so much attention and gained so 
many partisans. Still, in what light soever they are viewed, they 
must be allowed the requisite elements of growth and function ; 
for without these they must as truly perish as the higher forms 
of life when they, too, are deprived of proper function and 
nutrition. 
Whether regarded. as animal or as vegetable, these lowly forms 
must be conceded some skill, however slight, for obtaining wants 
and for protection against enemies. Few, if any, of the higher 
forms of life are unprovided in this respect. Thorns render 
plants less liable to injury. The cuttle-fish stains the water in 
the track of its enemies of an inky blackness, and thus escapes. 
The spider simulates death; and so does many a crustacean. 
The polyp can be severed into hundreds of fragments, but it 
revenges itself by reproducing as many new individuals; and the 
mollusc is protected from foes by a hard closed shell. 
Our knowledge of the lowest of the protozoans is but scanty, 
yet they all have means for engaging successfully in the struggle 
for existence. Each protozoan, or other, must put forth efforts 
proportioned to its development, to be met and overcome by still 
higher development. Something is displayed in the contest of 
offence and defence which seems like intelligence, but more akin 
to instinct. Their actions observed here are so nearly related to 
reflex action alone, that the problem of separating instinct from 
pure reason is at present utterly impossible. But yet where 
observation fails analogy will perhaps succeed. 
Now if, for example, we touch with the point of a fine needle 
1 Vid, Pop. Sci. Monthly, Dec. 1873, p. 180, 
