The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-11-11
EXEMPLIFICATloNs OF INSTINCT,

EAEMPLlFlCATl0NS OF INSTINCT.
The similarity between the simple instructive
actions oil animals and their ordinary organic
functions, is SO great as to lead to suppose that
both sets OF operations are arranged upon similar
plans, though these may not be identical and
that both are carried on without the foretbougbt
or the consciousness of the animal. Thus the
young bee, on the day when it first leaves the
cell, without teaching and without experience
begins TO collect honey and form wax and build
up its hexagonal cell, according to the form
which its progenitors have used from the earliest
generations. Birds build nests OF a certain struc
lure after thelr Kinds, and many species at GER
tain seasons, excited by some Internal imnuIse
take their migratory flight to other countries
The insect which never experienced narent,s
care or mothers example, labors assduoneI,,
and effectively for the future deve lopment and
snstenance oil an offspring which it, in its turn ia
doomed never to behold Others toll all Sumner
and lay up stores for Winter, without ever havi,o
experienced the severity OF such season. or hee
ing In any sensible way aware of its approach.
We know that such actions are the result ~
involuntary and unretlecting impulses. because
we oiten nnd them performed in vain. Sir Joseph
banks had a tame beaver, which was allowed TO
range at liberty in ditch about his grounds ana
was at all seasons literally supplied with food
One day, about the end OF autumn it was discov-
efed IN ditch, very busily engaged in attelont
ing 10 construct dam, alter the manner of ito
companions IN state of nature This was evi
IDENTIFY the blind impulse OF its instructive ieelina
ioI moments exercise OF the lowest degree of
renecuon must have shown it that such labor
uhoef the circumstances in which it was placed
was altogether superhuous. A common ouaii
was Kept IN cage, and became quite tanned and
recohched to Its food. AT the period of its natu
raj migration it became exceedingly restless ana
SleePiess; 1t beat It's head against the cage in
many vain efforts to escape, and on examination
nS SKIN was found several degrees above its usual
temperature. A bee. which can fly homeward
one OF TWO miles in straight line to its hive
WIN extreme accuracy, if it happens to enter am
open window in room, will exhaust allits efforts
~ attempting to get out at the opposite window.
winch Is closed down, but never pauges to ,biuk
oil retraclng its flight little way backward. ga
as 10 ny out at the opening at which it had en-
we olen observe dog, when going 10 sleep
on the noor, turn himself several times round
before he lies down, and this is lust one of the
lingering instincts which he has retained Will
10 ms VIVID state he is accustomed thus 10 prepare
MS bed amid the tall grass or rushes. An acute
observer oil animal habits has remarked that a
Jackdaw which, Tor want OF its usual place Of
ABODE, had Tor its nest made choice of a rabbit
mole, was often sorely perplexed IN what wav 10
get the long sticks, OF which its nest was to be
formed, drawn within the narrow entrance -
again ana again did it attempt to pull in the piece