Chap. 98.] 
AISriMALS SUBJECT TO DREAMS. 
553 
but because they are to be seen buried in deep repose, and to all 
appearance fast asleep, betraying no motion in any part of 
the body except the tail, and by starting when they happen 
to hear a noise. "With regard to the thunny, it is stated with 
still greater confidence that it sleeps ; indeed, it is often found 
in that state near the shore, or among the rocks. Flat fish are 
also found fast asleep in shallow water, and are often taken in 
that state with the hand : and, as to the dolphin and the 
balaena, they are even heard to snore. 
It is quite evident, also, that insects sleep, from the silent 
stillness which they preserve ; and even if a light is put close 
to them, they will not be awoke thereby. 
CHAP. 98. WHAT ANIMALS AKE SUBJECT TO DKEAMS. 
Man, just after his birth, is hard pressed by sleep for several 
months, after which he becomes more and more wakeful, day 
by day. The infant dreams ^"^ from the very first, for it will 
suddenly awake with every symptom of alarm, and while 
asleep will imitate the action of sucking. There are some 
persons, however, who never dream ; indeed, we find instances 
stated where it has been a fatal sign for a person to dream, who 
has never done so before. Here we find ourselves invited by 
a grand field of investigation, and one that is full of alleged 
proofs on both sides of the question, whether, when the mind 
is at rest in sleep, it has any foreknowledge of the future, and 
if so, by what process this is brought about, or whether this is 
not altogether a matter quite fortuitous, as most other things 
are ? If we were to attempt to decide the question by in- 
stances quoted, we should find as many on the one side as on 
the other. 
It is pretty generally agreed, that dreams, immediately after 
we have taken wine and food, or when we have just fallen 
asleep again after waking, have no signification whatever. In- 
deed, sleep is nothing else than the retiring^® of the mind 
into itself. It is quite evident that, besides man, horses, dogs, 
oxen, sheep, and goats have dreams ; consequently, the same 
is supposed to be the case with aH animals that are viviparous. 
As to those which are oviparous, it is a matter of uncertainty, 
Aristotle, Hist. Anim. B. iv. c. 10, maintains the contrary. But in 
B. vii. he asserts that infants do dream. 
See Lucretius, B. iv. 1. 914, et seq. 
