, 1873-05-25

Of it, are no less acute than they hr5 curious and
interesting. II this view bo just, the question
arises whether these faculties exist to certain
degree and within certain limits in all higher
animals, and whether they are found at all
IN the lower animals. In the decision OF this
question anatomical considerations cannot fail
to be Of importance. The structure Of the frame
and the t1ispoaition Of tho nervous centres have
certain uniformity throughout the whole type
Of Tertebrates, including mammals and man. In
al, the brain and spinal marrow hold tho same
relation to the rest Of the structure, and from
these nervous centres arise the nerves which 60
to all parts Of the body. II am not mistaken
We can trace in al vortehrates mental powers akin
to those OF man. We cannot deny to the
higher animals eome degreo OF argumen-
tatiye power, nor an action Of the
reason and affections similar to our
and most unmistakable facts. You will find it
difficult to persuade mau who has been lnt1-
mate with IN intelligent dog that its plays, its
autics its care OF its young, its love OF friends
its memory Of them and loyalty to them, differ
in kind from like sentiments OF his ow:1. How
does the delight Of dog who starts With his
master for day q hunting, evidently with CON
scious anticipation Of the pleasure before him,
difrer except in childishness Of expression from
that Of the hunter hi1nself2 Animals are GER
Ia1ulF rs kEeu ID FE1E6PL4OIt h5 1ChN$ III
avoiding danger, as watchful Of their young
as man; putting him to shame sometlmes
by their tender, un6elfsh of their offspring.
Indeed, in their moral relations they give evil
dence Of natural sense Of right and wrong as
keen If not as susceptible Of higher Development
as that which We find in some men. Therefore,
say we have no right to claim q privileged posi-
ton among created animals on the ground OF
the essential nature OF cur mental powers. We
have only this great privilege and superiority
opment; that We can acquire, increase, and
preserve wisdom through accumulated knowi-
edge, and with this higher endowment comas a
nobler responsibility.
L DIFFERENT KIND OF INTELLIGENCE n INSECTS.
/ believe, therefore, that yertebrates, in con-
formity with the similarity Of their organization
have IN identity OF mental faculties, differing
only in degree. When, however, VIC aualyze the
manifestations of intelligence in insects recall
ing; for instance, the economy Of the bee, We
have no longer the same guide, nor are the acts
OF. the same character. We see there 3 totality
Of powers and abilities, thousands of beings act
ing for one end seemingly With one aim, very
different from the individual intelligence Of man
and the higher animals. The anatomy Of the in
Bect the structure and arrangement OF its nervous
centres, the distribution OF its nervous hbres,
show us totally different organization from
that OF the vertebrates. We are therefore led to
assume, and perhaps On a trifing basis, for all
our knowledge Of these facts is in its infancy,
that these manifestations Of mental faculties
among insects are peculiar powers unknown to
us anc to animals structurally allied with us;
but distributed widely among insects, and e1hib.
iting almost as great comparative difference OF
range and intensity as mental faculties among
vertebrates. There is no greater difference OF
temperament. for instance, between the s1ugglsh
sloth and the eyer-actire monkey, than between
the slow-creeping insect dragging itself over
the ground and the grasshopper or the butterfly.
Indeed, in q single community Of bees, there is
q marked difference Of temperament in the DIFF
ferent kinds Of Individuals. These are problems
which should interest every thinking man, and
which solicit observation from tho un1earned AZ
well rs the learned, for the field is wholly new.
Intelligent acts among insects are not the result
Of experience. They prepare for conditions
we are wont to cali their instinct at their birth,
and even while they are still inclosod in their
cells. The different members Of the community
differ very much, as we have seen, in habits and
temperament; and yet there is no difference Of
between drone, working bee, and
queen bee. Evidently, then, though their or
ganization is the tool without which they cannot
manifest themselves in any way, those mental
differences are independent Of organization. :
SHAPE OF BRAIN NO INDEX OF MENTAL DIFFER
ENCEs.
7 remember that the last paper I read in
he Helvetic Association for Advancement Of
Science in Geneva, in 1845,) was upon tho brain
II fishes. I attempted to show, and think
lid show, although the subject has not advanced
step since, that the habits and natural dispo-
ition of that class Of animals are entirely inde-
,sndent of the characteristic features Of their
'rain. Fishes Of the greatest roracity and e1-
eeding1y active in tho pursuit Of their food,
uch as the salmon, trout, and all that genus Of
ish, have a brain identical with that OF other
ses seEsssensssveit Is the OF vhitss sa sane
1hich feed upon dead and decom-
'oHed organic substances, do not hunt living |
'rey, and are peaceful. quiet, inofrenaivo ami |
nails. The attempt to localize the mental facul- |
iea Of men and animals, to connect them with |
allied. The brain in it's totally is an organ Of |
'ecu1iar structure through which mental powers I
re manifested, though, as We have seen in the |
Instance just given, the constitution Of the brain
nay be the same and the disposition and habits !
ntirely different OF the nature of these men !
al powers and their relation to structural or
,aniZztlon am not prepared to speak. No one |
an. give the results Of an Investigation before |
he investigation is made;' aud We are but on tho !
lreshold Of these Studies
Let us return for q moment to the other side |
# the question. How are these powers trcns- |
nitted from generation to generation Through /
that agency arc they so handed down ? Let me |
emind you again that there is not living being,
nimA or vegetable, unless derived from tho !
udding OF division Of another Ike itself, which |
gg, repeat, is the sieve through which the |
asf history OF one living being is sifted before I
ia received into the history Of another living |
eng Here VIC have true evolution. The egg ]
+ an animal gives rise to an animal m Like the one
.om which it proceeded. The oyuie of !
q oak gives rise to an acorn, and in |
me- to an oak. Everything comes down
} the egg. and the egg in lts Developments
nfolds al it has received unfolds every facul.
:, disposition, feature, or structure transmitted
fA.1 r. $+>rt1 rvEt q Ia.