Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-11-17
INSTINCT.

At meeting Of n Philosophical Society, a
paper was read in support Of the theory, that
the animal creation subordinate to men, is pos
scsscd of intellectually. Numerous interest
ing cases were mentioned, which show power
beyond that commonly ascribed to mere instinct.
A cat was put into receiver of an air-pump, a
situation in which she had never been placed be-
fore and while the air was being exhausted,
the Inconvenience which she felt made her at
tempt means of relief. At last she placed her
paw over the orifice by which the air escaped,
and thus prevented further exhaustion. Set
cat ailoat in bowl on pond and observe how
she viii adapt her positions so as to prevent an
overturn. Bees taken from one part of Eng
land to another, make no alterations in their
habits the first summer; but in the second they
adapt themselves to the different circumstan-
ces of the new locality. Taken from England
TO the West Indies, the hrst summer they make
a store of honey usual but they perceive
that flowers bloom all the year round, and that
supply of honey against the winter is not need
ed. In the second summer, therefore they do
not fill their hive. If the descendants of these
bees are brought to England then the reverse
takes place, and they leave off their tropical
habits
The general tendency of the paper was TO
show that what are called the inferior animals.
been supposed. Among the most remarkable
facts brought forward in the discussion to prove
the existence Of q reasoning faculty, was one by
DR.. Wmwick which may worthily be repro
duced.
When he resided at Durham, the seat of the
Earl of Stamford and Warrington, he was walk
ing one evening in the park, and came to pond
where fish intended for the table were Temporal
lily kept. He took particular notice of fine
pise, of about six pounds weight, which, when
It obsetved him, darted hastily away. In so
doing 1t str'ct its head against tenter-hook
III post, (oi which there were several in the
pond, placed to prevent Peaching,) and as it af-
terwards appeared, fractured it's skull. and turn
ed the optic nerve on one side The agony
eyinced by the animal was most horrible Ii
rushed to the bottom, and boring its head in the
mud, whirled itself round with such velocity,
that it was almost lost to sight for Il short in
terval. 1t then plunged about the pond, and at
length threw itself completely out of water on
to the bank. The doctor went and examined il,
and found that very small portion Of the brain
was protruding from the fracture of the skull
lie carefully replaced this, and with a small
silver toothpick replaced the indented portion of
the skull. The fish remained still for a short
time, and he then put it again into the pond
1t appeared at first good deal relieved, but in
aiew minutes 1t again darted and plunged about,
until it threw itself out of the water second
time. A second time DR.. Warwick did what he
could to relieve it, and again put it into the
water. 1t continued for several times to throw
itself out of the pond and with the assistance
of keeper, the doctor ut length made kind
of pillow for the fish, which left to its fate
Upon the doctors making his appearance at the
pond on the following morning, the pike came
toward him at the edge of the water, and ac-
tually laid his head upon his foot. The doctor
thought this most extraordinary, but he ex-
amined the fish's skull and found it going on
all right. He then walked backward and for
ward along the edge OF the pond for some time
and the fish continued to swim up and down.
turning whenever he turned, but being blind on
the wounded side of his skull, it always appear
ed agtated when it had that side toward the
bank, as it could not then see its benefactor
On the next day he took some young friends
down to see the fish, which came to him as usual ;
and at length he actually taught the pike to
come to him at his whistle, and feed out of his
hands. With other persons it continued as shy
as fish usually are. Dr. Warwick thought this
a most remarkable instance of gratitude in q
fish, for benefit received; and as it always
came at his whistle, it proved also what he had
previously, with other naturaliss, dsbelieved
that fishes are sensible to sound.