690 
REVIEW: — ILLUSTRATIONS OF INSTINCT. 
the nature of the object which each of them dreads, and the powers 
which each of them is conscious of possessing, which makes the 
variation in the expression of that by which each gives prominency 
to what is distinctive of the race. The rabbit runs to the hole from 
which it has not ventured far, conscious of its want of power for 
distant or continued flight; whilst, trusting to superior fleetness, 
the hare wanders to a greater distance, and seeks no safety but 
outrunning its pursuers. The cat runs up a tree, not, however, by 
leaping, but by extending its claws and fixing them in its bark ; 
and there, as if aware that the enemy cannot follow, it remains 
under a slight shelter of concealment, at no great elevation above 
its foe. In a house, when desirous of escaping detection or injury, 
it does no more than creep into an unsuspected corner, and trust 
to obscurity and patience for the result. When roused, the ex- 
tended claws display a consciousness of another resource, which 
none but creatures of the feline race are capable of exercising .’ 1 
“ This consciousness in individuals of the powers by which 
their race is characterised is deeply stamped upon their actions, in a 
manner to modify the existence of the creature, so as often to bear 
exclusively the name of instinct. Tt is even seen in cases where, 
from the influence of domestication, the instruments that rendered 
the manifestation formidable have disappeared. The absence of 
horns in the cow does not prevent it thrusting at an adversary with 
its head,” 
“ An apprehension of danger, operating on great -timidity, is the 
principal cause why some creatures are incapable of being rendered 
tame ; and this untameableness is produced by fear exciting such 
a degree of confusion in its perceptions as hinders the creature 
from understanding the nature and. intention of those kind actions 
which are shewn towards it when an endeavour is made to conci- 
liate its regard. When, therefore, we discover in an animal a na- 
tural inaptitude to receive such impressions of conciliation, it may 
be concluded that there is, in addition to an overwhelming fear, a 
deficiency in the capacity of the understanding. For though the 
truth of the Brahmin’s answer to Alexander the Great may be ad- 
mitted, that the wisest creature is that which keeps at the greatest 
distance from man, yet when compelled to endure his presence, it 
is a higher degree of wisdom to accept his friendship than to pro- 
voke his emnity. A mixture of understanding, therefore, with 
timidity will lead to a perception and appreciation of the signs 
that are manifested in its favour; and by compliance with them, 
enable it to secure the attachment of the object of its fears. And 
even where a state of liberty is maintained, a degree of understand- 
standing united with timidity leads to the existence of the valuable 
quality of cautiousness, which is the surest principle of safety; 
