The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-01-19
lNsTihcT I IN ANIMALS.


TO the older philosophers instinct was
3 far more wonderful thing than it APP
pears now. They asserted that all the
actions Of the lower animals were per-
formed through instinct. and explained
that they possessed this faculty in lieu |
Of intelligence, which was the peculiar
attribute Of man. This was, however.
soon exploded by the demonstration Of |
the possession Of intelligence among
animals and Of instinct by man. In
deed the later philosoph have come to
believe that almost all the actions Of
man are influenced if not controlled by
instinct alone.
The tendency to migration of certain
species of animals is plainly referable to
this hereditary influence. Originally,
no doubt, migration occurred because
food was more easily found in one To-
cality than in another. The hereditary
memory, SO to speak, pointed out the
place where more food was to be- OBJ
tanned with less exertion. Gradually
other surroundings suggested themselves
as agreeable to the embryo mind, and
and these, repeated through many gen
erations, created that unthinking tend
ency toward particular place or eli
mate regardless of its original fitness.
Almost all our ideas are gained from
association, and it is fair to imagine that
! the constant and repeated association OF
| q particular locality, with a pleasur. tble
sensation-the satiation of hunger. for
example-w would soon identify the sen
sation with the place. Then would be
evolved the sentiment of home, Il senti-
ment which we feel only more keenly
i than the lower animals because it is as
sociated not only with the place where
there is something to eat, but because
of other pleasurable sensations associated
with it. as they are as constantly found
/ in the same locality.
1t is mistake to regard the migratory
instincts of animals as unerring. Every
woodsman has observed how particu-
lar species of bird will apparently desert
certain locality for another for one or
more seasons. Occasionally, this may
1 result from choice. but it seems alto
gether more probable that it, is from
some mistake Oh the part OF the birds
themselves. Their generally accurate
course has been DETECTED by some cir
cumstance, and they have, made their
homes elsewhere. In the case Of stray
glers this is particularly marked. They
rarely succeed in rejoining the main
body to which they originally be 'onged,
and are forced to be content with What
ever suitable place may be found.
! Migratory animals and birds are al
most always gregarious-that is, they
live and especially they travel III com.
, pact hocks or herds. They do this fo,
!. one reason only-that the wisdom of 6
number is greater than that Of any one
} Any error in the route would be detected
by one or another and thence comnuni
Gated to the whole flock. Once in {
r while they are all mistaken, and the1
} some incoming steamer serves as I; poin
. of rest for the tired little wings. or some
! hitherto unknown country becomes thu
/ new home of the home seekers. u
!. But there is much that is very won
! derful and awe inspiring in the instinc
l that guides them. If indeed it is merel,
0 the reflex of the memory Of long de
Z parted ancestors-if the thoughts q
k well us the sins of the father descend t.
: remote generations, what tendencie
: and inclinations are we transmitting
our children which may in later genera
l. tions develop to good or evil? Are W
y steering a straight course. like the oil
# gray goose?-Baltimor Sun.
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