REVIEW — ILLUSTRATIONS OF INSTINCT. 
693 
“ The propensity to playful gambolling is another of these un- 
conscious impulses, and is as much a proceeding of instinct in the 
child as the kitten. How earnestly it is followed, in either in- 
stance, is an amusing portion of its nature ; and few can have 
failed to notice the eagerness with which the kitten will run round 
and round after its tail, and snarl, and endeavour to bite it, when 
disappointed in the attempt to secure it in its grasp. The changes 
in disposition which are brought about by the modification of or- 
ganization through the progress of years are not less conspicuous 
in the careful grimalkin that has laid aside her gambols, and now 
directs her attention to the important object of adding a captured 
mouse to her larder — of feasting on a caged canary, or a coveted 
morsel from the delicacies of the parlour; in the sober ass luxuri- 
ating on a thistle, undisturbed by the intrusion of a tyrant master ; 
than in the miser, who has left the top and ball which amuse 
‘ children of a larger growth,’ to dote upon his pelf ; or the sensu- 
alist, who has changed the sports of the field and flood for the 
idlest of amusements in a crowded city. Many of even our most 
refined gratifications have their foundation in this instinctive feel- 
ing ; and while in their sanctity they are recommended by reason, 
they are compelled to find their permanent support in the humble 
but energetic principle of Instinct.” 
Mr. Couch next proceeds to demonstrate that some of the “lower 
instincts” even are united with reason. 
“ Among the lowest, in point of excellency, of the emanations 
of Instinct, is the sensation of hunger, and the craving for food — 
an impulse common to all sensitive creatures, whereby they are 
instigated to the exertion of a variety of faculties, which partake 
alike of the nature of instinct and reflection.” 
“ And the mode of securing this object is in each race and spe- 
cies skilfully varied to suit the necessity of their case. If the pro- 
ceeding be less elaborate in the more limited intellect, it is not the 
less appropriate to the nature of the creature to be supplied. It is 
no small effort of skill in the farmer to fit the cultivation of his crop 
to the course of the seasons and the nature of the soil. He employs* 
instruments of complex structure in the preparation of the ground, 
and supplies it with manures compounded and varied with chemi- 
cal skill. His method of proceeding is changed according as it is 
a rainy or a dry season ; and, finally, if he employs his knowledge 
of mechanism in reducing his corn to food, we refer the whole pro- 
ceeding to the exercise of reason : he has acted from a comparison 
of a variety of known causes with their anticipated consequences. 
“ But although they do not possess, as they do not need, a mill 
to grind or an oven to bake their food, we know that a storehouse 
is constructed by the rat, mouse, squirrel, polecat, and among fo- 
