838 General Notes. [August, 
pass from one jugular to the other as do the corpuscles of 
pigeon’s blood, and the mean velocity of the current lies some- 
where between the two rates determined.— Am. Ji. Med. Sci, No. 
CLXXIV. 
PSYCHOLOGY. 
Tue Nature oF Instinct.—This subject has lately been dis- 
cussed by Messrs. Romanesand C. Lloyd Morgan. As to the view 
that there is a science of comparative psychology as held by Ro- 
manes and others, Mr. Morgan inquires, in Nature for Feb. 14, 
(1) Whether there is a science of comparative psychology; (2) 
discusses the place of consciousness; (3) the lapse of conscious- 
ness; (4) a psychological definition of instinct; (5) a physiologi- 
cal definition of instinct; (6) the origin and development of in- 
stinct. Mr. Morgan thus concludes: . 
1. While fully admitting the great interest that attaches to the 
study of the inferred mental faculties of the higher brutes, I be- 
lieve that, from the ejective nature of the animal mind and 
necessary absence of verification, no science of comparative psy" 
chology, except such as is restricted to “ objective psychology, 
is possible. ; 
2. Of the four views of the place of consciousness in the ant 
mal world, only one—that of free zi//—renders the study of the 
actions of animals incapable of scientific treatment. 2i © 
other three I believe determinism to be the most sinn i 
According to this view both neuroses and psychoses are subject 
to law.. But from our necessarily ejective knowledge o Pe tfc 
ses, we are forced to confine our attention (from the scient i 
point of view) to the objective phenomena of neurosis, an 
as manifested in conduct; of the psychoses, we can, know pet 
ing with certainty ; of the neuroses we may learn a little; 0 
duct we may learn much. a 
consciousness ok 
corollaries may be drawn : (a) That it is difficult or impos% ae 
lapse of consciousness in the species ; and (c) that the ood oe 
that instinctive actions are unconscious is incapable o! í = 
4. On the general ground given in 1, and on the special oo 
given in 3, I see great difficulties in accepting the POY ich js ite 
theory of instinct—that instinct is reflex action into Wei 
ported the element of consciousness. on physio- ; 
5. In accordance with the principle thus advocated, 4 defini ty 
logical definition of instinct must be sought. Some ctions pe : 
tion as this may be proposed: Jmstinctive actions are of a special 
formed by the individual in virtue of his possession °°" 7 
