AFRICA. 13^ 
^ages remain near the refervolr to keep them 
away, and leave it free for their approach, only 
when the darknefs does not permit the eye to 
difcern any thing in it. 
Animal inftind is an occult quality not eafy 
to be defined. Unqueftionably it refults from 
the combination of the elements of which 
every living being is compofed^ which haye 
a tendency to repel whatever is of a nature 
different from their own : but this is rather 
giving an account of the eftedt than explain- 
ing the caufe. Man too has an inflind, which 
draws him towards that which is good, and 
repels him from that which is noxious. But 
man in fociety quickly lofes it ; and frequently 
does not allow it time to unfold itfelf. Sa- 
vages, on the contrary, and all animals that 
enjoy their liberty, continually exercife and 
improve it. I have often found bafins of 
water ppifoned with euphorbia • and when 
the furface was fmooth, I could perceive on it 
a thin fhining coat of a greenifh brown oil, 
which was the poifon. Now if my feeble 
eye were able to difcern this flight mark, how 
obvious muft it be to animals, the fight of al- 
mpft all of y;hich is fo perfed: ? I fhall foou 
4 haye 
