The Hillsborough recorder., 1860-11-07
IN STINCT.

we die, OF our hopes are realized.
-@<e>~>-~~~~~~~~~>~<s-
INSTINC
Alta meeting of the Philosophical Society,
paper was read in support Of the theory,
that the animal creation subordinate to man,
is possessed of intellectually. Numerous
interesting cases were mentioned. which
show power beyond that commonly ascrib-
ed to mere instinct. A cat was put into the
receiver of an air pump, situation in which
she had never been placed before and while
the air was being exhausted, the inconvenl-
ence which she felt made her attempt means
| of relief. Al last she placed her paw over
the orlfce BY which the air escaped, and thus
prevented further exhaustion. Set cat
aioat in bowl on pond. and observe how
she will adapt her positions so as TO prevent
an overturn. Bees taken from one part OF
England TO another, make no alteration in
their habits the first summer, but in the Sc
eond they adapt themselves to the different
circumstances Of the new locality. Taken
from England to the West Indies, the first
summer they make store oi honey as usual;
but they perceive that flowers bloom all the
year round, and that supply Of honey against
the winter is nut needed. In the second sum
mer, therefore. they ln not Gil their hive. u
the descendants Of these bres are brought to
England, then the reverse takes place, and
IN the second year they leave Oft their tropi-
cal habits.
The general tendency Of the paper was TO
show that what are called the Inferior ami
mails, are not so lar below the standard OF
man as has been supposed. Among the more
remarkable facts brought forward in the dis
cussion TO prove the existence Of reason
ing faculty. was one by DR.. Warwick, which
may worth,ly be reproduced.
When he resided at Dunham, the seat of
the Earl of Stamford aud Warringlon he
was walking one evening in the park. and
came to pond where fish, intended for the
table, were temporarily kept. He took par.
pounds weight which, when it observed him,
darted hastily away. In 80 doing. il struck
its head against tenter-hook in a pnst (ot
which there were several in the pond. placed
/ to prevent poaching,) and as it afterwards
appeared, fractured its skull, and turned the
optic nerve on one side. The agony eyinc-
4 ed by the animal was most horrible. Ii rush.
ed to the bottom. and, boring its head in the
mud, whirled itself round with such yeloci.
". that il was almost lest to sight for short
interval. Il then plunged about the pond.
and at length threw itself completely out OF
the water on TO the bank. The doctor wen,
and examined il, and found that very small
portion of the brain was protrudlng from the
fracture Of the skull. He carefully repac
ed this, aud, with small silver toothpIck,
replaced the indented portion Of the skull.
The fish remained still for a short time. and
he then put it again iEto the pond. IL ap-
peared al first a good deal relieved, but, in
few minutes, il again darted and plunged a.
bout, until il threw itself out OF the water
second time. A second time DR.. War.
wick did what he could to relieve Il, and a.
/ gain put il into the water. IL continued
for several times to throw itself out oi the
| pond and with The assistance Of keeper,
| the doctor at length made Kind OF pillow
/ for the f.h, which was then left in the pund
10 its fate. Upon the doctors making his
appearance at the pond the following morn
i ing, the pike came toward him al the edge
of the water. and actually laid il, head upon
his foot. The doctor thought this most ex-
/ traordinary, but he examined the fsh's skull
and found il going on all right. lie then
walked backward and forward along the edge
of the pond for some time, and the FISH con-
tiuued to swim up and down. turning when.
ever he turned. but being blind on the wound
ed part q its skull il always appeared agita.
ted when il had that side toward the bank.
as il 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; AMI al length he actually taught The
\ pike 10 come 70 him Il his whistle, AMI feed
nut Of his hands With other persons !;
continued as shy as 6sh usually are. DIR.
Warwick thought this mnst remarkable IN.
stance Of gratitude in fish, for benefit re.
ceiyed and a. il always came al his whistle,
II proved also what lie had previously. with
other natpralists, IisbelieSed, that fishes are
sensible 10 sound