An entire body of philosophy according to the principles of the famous Renate Des Cartes in three books, (I) the institution ... (II) the history of nature ... (III) a dissertation of the want of sense and knowledge in brute animals ... / written originally in Latin by the learned Anthony Le Grand ; now carefully translated from the last corrections, alterations, and large additions of the author, never yet published ... by Richard Blome.

The Second Part. A DISSERTATION Of the want of SENSE AND KNOWLEDGE IN BRUTES.

I. The order of things to be declared in the Se∣cond part of this Disser∣tation. ALTHO' it hath been made out by Reasons strong enough, that Brute Animals are destitute of Sense and Perception, and that no∣thing of Cognition is to be discern'd in their Operations, and consequent∣ly, that a well-contrived Structure of the Mem∣bers, and a precise direction of Animal Spirits through certain Passages, must needs be the Prin∣ciple of all their Actions; yet in all this we cannot pretend to have done any thing to the purpose, unless we descend to particulars, and make it ap∣pear, that all the Actions of Animals may be me∣chanically demonstrated, and that the motions which we think proceed from a certain Soul in Beasts, are of kin to those which are produc'd in Automa∣ta, by virtue of a Spring, and disposition of Wheels. It is indeed a difficult Labour, yet ne∣nertheless necessary to be undertaken, if we intend to bring the Work begun to its desired end, and make a solid superstructure to the foundations we have laid: But the better to observe a certain Or∣der and Method in this Second Part of this Disser∣tation; we judge it expedient to reduce all the Operations of Brutes into Five Classes or Ranks. The First of them is those which are inbred in Beasts, to the exercise whereof they are carried by a certain innate force. The Second is of some Actions, which argue a sort of Craft in them, and bear some signs or semblance of Intellect, Judg∣ment and Discourse. The Third is of those which insinuate the docility of Animals, and their apti∣tude to be instructed; implying that something of Reason shines in them as well as in us. The Fourth is of Actions, which discover a kind of Mutual Speech in Animals, and which seem to make a kind of necessity of allowing the use of Language common with us. The Fifth and Last is of some Actions, by which Animals seem to ex∣cel the cunning and sagacity of Men, and that there is peculiar to them a Providence, and Fore∣knowledge of things to come, above what falls to Mans share and lot to be indued with.

II. Some Ope∣rations of Beasts pro∣duc'd by Natural Instinct. As to the First it is evident, that there are Acti∣ons proper to every Species of Beasts, and that they are so determined to certain Operations; that they all design and perform the same thing with∣out any difference. CAMELS fly from pure Streams, and hunt after muddy and troubled Wa∣ters, in so much that when ever they go into a River to drink, if the Water be not muddy, they raise the Mud by a vehement scraping on the Ground with their Feet. CONIES continual∣ly dig themselves Burrows to lodge, and cover them with Sand, that they may not lie open, and be exposed to the rapines of the Ferrets. HARTS shot in their Side with a Dart, present∣ly seek after the Herb Dittany for the curing of their Wound, and expelling the Pain with which they are afflicted. If the Root of Valerian be thrown before CATS, they run to catch it, they lick it, make much of it, and like Persons Dancing and Skipping, they run about and discover many signs of Joy and Pleasure. A HEN at the

sight of a Kite makes a clocking, and as it were exhorting her Chickens to flight, she still advances her Voice, and calls them under her Wings.

III. The same Nature is in all Ani∣mals of the same Species The cause of all these Actions can be referred to nothing else but Natural Inclination and In∣stinct, by which Animals are instigated to such and such motions, and resolve upon what things are convenient for them: So that this, or that whole Brutal Species is carried with one propen∣sion, and there is the same force, and the same impulse found in all of that Kind. So every HARE is a like fearful, and by the method of subtilty declines all Dangers and Inconveniences of Life. Every HOUND hath a kind of Craft and Innate Industry in following after Wild Beasts. All FOXES are shrewdly cunning, and gene∣rally use the same sort of Art and Method in lay∣ing Snares for Birds. Every APE expresses hu∣man gestures, and with one and the same sort of imitation receives whatsoever is offered or comes in its way; whence it is evident that nothing of Reason is concern'd in any of these actions, but that Brutes are impelled to them by a certain ne∣cessity, and according to that familiar saying in Schools, they rather suffer than act. For how can a CAMEL know that a draught of Water, the purer it is, the more it causes the Gripes of the Belly in him; or that in regard of the simplicity of its Substance, it affords him the less nourish∣ment? How knows a CONY that the Ferrets lay ambuscadoes for them, and that if they did not cover their Hole to keep them out, they should be expelled themselves by the injury of their Teeth and Feet, and whatever hostility besides? How should a HART know that the Herb Dittany is available for the drawing out of a D•••••• shot in∣to his Side? A HEN, that a Kite lays wait for her Chickens to snatch them away and devour them? Certainly if they did, Beasts would be wiser than Men, as having the faculty to explore and find out things before they came to make trial, or have experience of them; and being able to understand occurrences, before they could arrive at the Organs of their Senses. For BEES, we see, scarcely brought forth into the Light, begin to build Hony-Combs, gather Hony, attend their King, and perform all the Offices of their little Commonwealth. Young ANTS testifie no less providence than those of more age. CHICKENS newly hatch'd out of the Shell, dread and avoid the Kite. The Kite by no other Instructor but natural Instinct, lays wait for the Hen. The WOLF from his very Cradle, if we may so say, with an innate hostility prosecutes the Sheep. The SWALLOW builds and covers its Neast: The SPIDER its Web, without any other Teacher but natural Instinct. By which it is plain, that Animals are not directed by Reason, but by the Conduct of Nature only, which is alike prevalent in all.

IV. That Beasts of every Kind can∣not but do actions which are proper to them. And for the better conceiving that Beasts of every Kind ought to perform Actions which are proper to them, we need but consider, that they act no otherwise but by the force of their Mecha∣nism or Structure, and by the disposition of their Organs: For as we ought to believe, that they are destin'd to different uses, according to the di∣versity of their Species, so we need not doubt on the other side, but that the Author of Nature hath furnish'd every one of them with Organs proper for the performance of those functions which are most agreeable to their Nature; as for example, there are in Ants, motions very regular and very necessary to lead them in Summer time, to those Objects which they have need to make provision of against the Winter. Swallows build their Neasts with more artifice than the skilfullest of Men can do: And a Dog in finding out his Master shews more sagacity than in matters of that nature is usually discerned in Man.

V. After what manner Bees make their Cells so ingen••∣ously. Moreover there occur to us some Works of Na∣ture, which seem not possible to be performed without Sense and Reason, as hath been observed in the beginning of this Discourse: For how comes it to pass that Spiders weave their Webs so Geo∣metrically, and Bees compose their Cells so neatly and orderly, each being appointed their several Offices; some to lay up the Hony, others to ex∣clude the Drones? To which end they make some of their Cells oblong, the better to receive the forms of their Bodies; and on the other side make them open to leave egress and regress, yet at the same time it is so ordered, that not above two rows of Cells can be opposite one to the other, namely, one at the top, and the other at the occluded part. Besides, when in framing the Walls of their Cells, there is a necessity that the Wax be separated, and carried out from all parts: How do the Bees so contrive it, that every Bee taking its round with comprest Wings, six other Cells should be drawn circularly near the Wax-Cell towards the sides, and as many towards the top, and all for the convenience of the circular Figure; which is so ordered as to be touch'd by six, other equal and conformable Cells: Further∣more, there must be a Hexagonic or Sixangled, and a Hexaedric or six-sided Figure, conformable as well at the Sides as at the Top, in such man∣ner, as while six Circles are contiguous about a seventh, and make a compression, this compression is to be mutual so far as till it falls into six Sides, equal to a Semidiameter, and common as well to the containing as the contained Circles.

VI. The whole operation of Bees pro∣ceeds not from Rea∣son, but in∣stinct of Nature. But these and the like Operations are not to be attributed properly to Cognition or Cogitation, but to some other intelligence, which Averroes calls Non Errant: So as that the Corporeal Nature must follow the conduct of Divine Reason; and its Works be look'd upon as Darts or Arrows which are directed by a skilful Marksman, to the Aim or Mark which the Darts or Arrows them∣selves have no suspicion or apprehension of. So that this Natural Force infused into every Animal, is the Original, and as it were the Source of all those Motions and admirable Effects, which do not only exceed all our Efforts, but which we can hardly attain to by our greatest application of Wit and Ingenuity: Whence the Great DES∣CARTES in his 45th Epistle to a certain No∣bleman, I am not ignorant (saith he) that many things are performed by Brutes, far better than by us; but this I do not in the least wonder at, since it helps to prove that they perform them Natu∣rally and as it were by Springs; no otherwise than a Clock or Dial, which declares the Hours far better than we can find it out by our exactest Judgment: And doubtless when the Swallows approach in Spring time, they act therein in the

manner of Clocks or Dials: And whatsoever Bees perform, is of the same nature, as is also the Or∣der which Cranes observe in flying, Apes in fight∣ing; if at least they observe any. Lastly, the in∣stinct by which they are carried to bury their Dead, hath nothing more to be wondred at, than the in∣stinct of Dogs and Cats, who, going about to co∣ver their Excrements, scrape up the Earth in order thereunto, tho' perhaps they never proceed so far as to cover them; which shews that they act un∣thinking, and only by instinct. But if after all this any one still remains obstinate, and will have it that Intellect and Reason must be allowed in Beasts to produce all those wonderful Operations; what hinders but that whatsoever things in Nature give occasion of admiration, may be said to pro∣ceed from Reason? Why may we not by the same reason maintain, that a Clock or Dial is in∣dued with Intellect, as long as the Index, turning about by a Spring of Motion infixt, sometimes by a deflux of Water, sometimes by the stress of a Weight hung on, sometimes turned about by the reflex of an intorted Steel, designs the Hours? Why may not the Needle be said to be prompted by Reason to fly to the adjacent Loadstone, for the obtaining of its imbraces? The Bees therefore erect their Habitations, as HARVEY admira∣bly expresseth it, by a Natural impulse, and as it were by a fatal necessity, or a certain man∣date, working according to the Law of the Crea∣tor, but act nothing by Providence, Design or Councel. For what in us is the Principle of Ar∣tifical Operations, and is called Art, Intellect or Providence; that in these Natural Works is meer Nature, depending upon no Mans Instruction.

VII. Whence ariseth the diversity of Actions in Brutes. But if it be required, how it comes to pass that so great a diversity of actions should be pro∣duc'd among Beasts? How each Animal should have its proper Machination, if they operate ac∣cording to inbred impressions, and are impelled as it were by a certain weight? I answer, that this happens from the various disposition of the Brain, and the Organ, which according as it varies in Animals of a different Species, so it brings to pass, that an affection of the same Object is directed to different Motions: Forasmuch as nothing else can be understood by the name of Natural Instinct, than the Local Motion as of the whole, so of the minute parts indued with a certain magnitude and Figure, according to which natural things are di∣stinguish'd, and obtain various denominations. Now those motions which follow corporeal disposi∣tions, may be reduc'd to three Heads. The First is of those, by which Animals, through a certain inbred impulse, hate and decline those things which are hurtful and troublesome to them; as a Sheep abhors the sight of the Wolf, and immediately up∣on the said sight thereof, betakes it self to flight with all imaginable haste: Almost all sorts of Animals dread the Lion, and are terrified at the sight of him: On the other side, the Lion fears the Cock, and trembles both at the hearing of his Crowing, and sight of his Crest: So the Chickens fear and fly the Kite, &c. The Second is of those by which Beasts apply themselves to the propaga∣tion of their Kind, and the generating of their like; so the Silkworm weaves its Egg; so Fishes and other Animals, by a certain inbred propensity, do many things which tend to the foresaid end. The Third is of those things by which Brutes pro∣vide for their own preservation, and sustain them∣selves from perishing, they go out to get their Food, they make choice of their Meats, they lay up Provision against the approaching Winter, and do several other such like actions which conduce to the said end.

VIII. Whence ariseth the Hatred and or Antipa∣thy between some Ani∣mals. The Motions of the first Kind are easily made out, when we affirm that by the sight of such Objects, certain impressions are transmitted through the Fibres of the Nerves into the Brain, which convey the Animal Spirits into the Nerves; which upon turning the Back, or moving the Thighs, are readily disposed to help on the flight; and also partly upon those Nerves which dilate or contract the Orifices of the Heart, or which agitate other parts from whence the Blood is sent into it: That this Blood being rarified, after another manner than is usual, sends into the Brain those Spirits which are adapted to the cherishing and foment∣ing of Terror, that is, which are apt to keep open, as also to open again those passages of the Brain which conduct them into the said Nerves: So the Sight of the Eye, from the Body of a Wolf, reflected upon the Eyes of a Sheep, hath the force of disposing the Spirits, and diffusing them into the Nerves in such a manner as is necessary for pro∣moting the flight of the Sheep: The like may be said of Chickens flying the Kite; the Lion the Cock, and other Beasts the Lion. For it is the nature of the Brain, and of the contexture of the Fibres, into which an impression is made in the said Beasts, to produce such an affection. And that such a Disposition and Temperament is found is Beasts is sufficiently manifested by the steam exhaling from the body of a Camel, by which a Horse is so terrified, that he becomes incapable of standing a fight: Of such a Nature likewise is the smell of a Horse, that thereby an Elephant is driven into madness: The Root also of the Herb Valerian sends forth a Vapour, which works so up∣on Cats, that they are thereby driven into a mer∣ry Pin, and skip and frisk about like mad. In regard that such or such an affection is not grate∣ful or ungrateful of it self, but upon this account, that there is such or such a conformation of the Organs, and contexture of the Fibres, which is found in these Animals. Nor is it haply for any other cause that the Cock awakes before light, and by his Crowing proclaims the approach of Day, than because the Sun having passed the Circle of Midnight, and having almost overtaken the Morn∣ing, puts to flight the cold Air of the Night by his approach; by which coldness the Cock being raised and awakned, is so stirred up and alarm'd, that he presently sets up his Note, and by his loud Crowing calls up mortal Men to their tasks and labours.

IX. Whence proceeds the Love of Beasts one towards the other. By the same reason may the Love of Beasts be set forth, for example, when an Object is agreea∣able, the Light which is reflected towards the Eyes of the Animal, strikes the Optick Nerves in such sort, that they dispose the Animal Spirits to insi∣nuate, part into the Muscles, which have their course toward the Tail, Head, Legs, &c. part in∣to those which serve to inlarge the Orifices of the Heart, and to press the parts of the Heart, whence the Chyle and the Blood may come in greater abun∣dance; which not only causes the Animal Spirits

to mount up to the Brain in the greater quantity, but also gives them a freer course into the same Muscles, and by this means to conserve, entertain and fortifie those motions which the presence of an agreeable Object hath caused.

X. Whence their Passi∣ons. So that the Passions of Animals, taken not for Simple Faculties but for Actions, are nothing else but the emotions of the Brain, caused by the pre∣sence of whatsoever Object, whether hurtful or favourable, and fortified by some particular courses of the Animal Spirits, which depend principally upon the disposition, which the Heart and others of the Principal Bowels put into the Blood.

XI. The Compo∣sition of the Machin of a Beast more exact than any other. You will, possibly, have much ado to conceive that Beasts should do all that we see them do, after the manner of things Inanimate; as for Example, of a Clock which marks the Hours, and strikes by virtue of the disposition of its Wheels, and the force of its Counterweights: For tho' in Beasts we take notice only of their motions, yet the great number of those motions is very surprising, and it is a hard matter for any one to persuade himself that so many can be included in a Machin. But I will easily deliver you out of this pain, if you have the representation before you of a Clock, for Example, composed but of 15 or 20 pieces, which nevertheless strikes all the Hours, marks the Half-hours, the quarters, and all other parts of Time which are numberless. Now if a Ma∣chin, which is composed of so small a number of Pieces, is capable of so many things, how many must we imagin the Machin of a Beast capable of, which is compos'd of Spring-Fibres, whose number and due disposure surpasses, without compare, the structure of the exactest Machin that ever was made by any Workman.

XII. The Ma∣chins of Beasts are wound up as other Machins. If it be answered, that there is a great difference between a Beast and an Artificial Machin, in that a Clock may be wound up every day; but that the Machin, for example, of a Dog, cannot be so wound up. It is evident, that all Machins are not wound up, or renewed after one and the same manner. Pocket Clocks or Watches have their Springs; certain Turn-broches or Jacks have the smoke of the Chimney to make them move; Mills have Water or Wind; Thermometers have heat or coldness of the Air; the Hydrometer divers de∣grees of Moisture: So likewise Beasts have their Aliment. So that we may well say, that their Machins are wound up as often as they have any thing given them to eat or drink.

XIII. A Dog is not carried by Cogniti∣on to snatch at a piece of Bread. But if there be no difference between Beasts and other Machins, whence comes it that a Dog can snatch at one bit of Bread or Meat, and re∣ject or refuse another bit which is offered him, if he have not a Cognition or discerning Sense to accept the one and reject the other? Who can think it necessary, that there should be Cognition in a piece of Iron, to cause it to move towards the Ada∣mant or Loadstone, and not as well to move to∣wards a Flint when it is offered to it? Or who will think himself obliged to admit of Cognition in a Dog, to cause him to run away at the sight of a Cudgel, when it is offered to him, any more than in a piece of Iron shunning when the opposite Pole is presented, that very Adamant by which formerly it had been attracted.

XIV. A Dog fsels never the more pain, because he crys when he is bea∣ten. And certainly these who believe that a Dog feels pain, because he crys when he is beaten, have as little reason for their belief; since the greatest sound that can be heard when the Organs are touch'd in certain places, is not a sign that there is any pain in those Organs: So that there cannot be proposed any such action of Beasts, but I can produce something like it, which you must necessarily confess does happen in other subjects, which can no way be imagined capable of Cogni∣tion; and you need do no more but see with your Eye, and touch with your Hand the several Or∣gans of Beasts, and their different Structures, to make you comprehend how the greatest part of their Actions may be performed without Cogniti∣on, after which you will find no great difficulty to acknowledge, that the same may be said of all the rest.

XV. A Swallow shews no∣thing of Cognition in building her Neast. No more doubt need to be made, that a Swal∣low may without knowledge, imploy it self in building a Neast of Mud, with the greatest Arti∣fice imaginable; may gather up heaps of Straw and Chaff to make a curious sort of Straw-work, may search about for Feathers to lay a-top, for the making of her Bed the more soft and warm, the disposing of her Eggs, and the covering and cherishing of her Young Ones after they are hatcht, till such time as they are in a condition to fly, and shift for themselves, and seek their own Food; since there are many things that have not the least Cognition, which exactly perform that which Men cannot do with all their Ingenuity. I might here re∣count a world of Examples, but I shall only add, that a Stone hung at the end of a Pole, marks out the direct way to be kept for to go to the Center of the Earth, that the Needle of the Compass points out the North, that a Fane shews the Course of the Wind, that a Clock or Dial marks out the Hours more exactly than the Learnedest Man of the World can do. Moreover, there is not a Goldsmith, the cunningest of them living, who having the filing of Iron mingled with that of Gold or Silver, can in the dark separate the one from the other, and even by plain day-light it would cost him much time and labour to effect it; whereas a Loadstone performs the same in a mo∣ment, without the help of Day or any other Light. By this we may see that the exactness with which many Beasts perform certain opera∣tions, is not an undoubted sign that they perform them with Cognition: And besides, with what ex∣actness or curiosity soever some Beasts may act, they have never produc'd any thing that can come near that rare skill wherewith the least Flower of the Field pushes forth its Bud, its Blossoms and its Leaves.

XVI. Nor a Bee in the con∣trivance of its Comb. Nor did ever any Bee make Compartments in his Comb more exact and curious than those of a Pomegranate. And if it be so marvelous a thing to see a Dog seemingly sensible, when his Machin is wholly disposed to move after a piece of Bread, or in pursuit of a Hare: So that tho' we perhaps may think our selves obliged to admit of Cognition in him, yet it is true, that his whole Machin, which is infinitely more strange in its Fabrick, than it is strange to see it go when it is made, hath never∣theless been so composed, as to be without Art or Cognition, and to act by motion only, and the disposition of its parts: Moreover the Argument drawn from the exactness with which Beasts per∣form many different Actions, proves too much:

For we should thence be forced to conclude, that Beasts have more perfect Cognitions than Men, as we have said before, and that the principle of these Cognitions is more noble than theirs, which cer∣tainly no rational person will easily grant.

XVII. How Brutes are impel∣led to Gene∣ration. But let us repeat our Discourse, interrupted by this long digression, concerning the operations of inanimate things, compared with the actions of Animals, and explain the Motions of the Second Kind, with the same ease as we have those of the First. For that Beasts are incited to Generation and Propagation, proceeds from the alteration made in their Bodies, by which their Fibres, and the Contextures of them are so disposed, that from thence a certain affection is derived, (especially in those Organs that are inservient to Generation) which is directed to the foresaid Motions. For Lust is a certain disposition of the Animal Phan∣tasie, proceeding from the motion of the Genital Parts; that is, while those parts are tickled by the fervid Spirits, and impelled to Coition. So when a Proud Bitch is brought to, or comes in company of a Dog, she by her smell so disposes the unquiet Spirits in the Head of the Dog, that they make a conflux into the parts adapted for Generation to perfect the Coition. Whence that Tentigo, which in many Males accompanies Lust, is wont to be made by the Animal Spirits, whilst they flow down to the Fungous Nerves of the Masculine Member, and are hindred from returning by the Prostates, swelling with the Fervid Seed, and stopping up the Pores of those Fungous Nerves; so that Animals, when they are libidinously inclin'd, are of that dis∣position, as easily to be directed to those Motions which tend to Propagation, and the preserving of their Kind, as shall hereafter be more largely dis∣courst of concerning Birds.

XVIII. What Ima∣gination is in Animals. When, I say, that Lust is a certain disposition of the Animal Phantasie, I would not have it so understood, as if it were some internal Principle, from whence a certain Imagination should proceed, but only that it is a simple motion, proceeding from the course which the Animal Spirits take of themselves across the Fibres of the Brain; whence it follows, that the Imagination of Animals, taken for a simple Faculty, is no other than a power which the Animal Spirits have to flow, as of them∣selves, from the Brain into some certain Muscles, rather than others, for the moving of some parti∣cular Members.

XIX. How it comes that Brutes are concerned for them∣selves, and the preser∣vation of their lives. With the same clearness may the Motions of the Third Kind be made out: For Nature hath been beneficial to all Creatures, in furnishing each of them with their proper Organs, and impressing that habit of Body, by the help of which, and of the said Organs, they are enabled to stir up those Motions, by which they may the better pro∣vide for their Life, and prosecute those things which are necessary for the preservation of them∣selves. It is infused by Nature into all sorts of Animals, as saith the Latin Orator, to defend themselves, and take care of their Life and Body, and to decline those things which seem hurtful to them, and to search after, and endeavour to ob∣tain all things that are necessary for the preserva∣tion of Life. Wherefore it is no wonder, if Brutes, with so much application, are intent upon their preservation, by building themselves places of abode; by seeking their Food, even rather than fail, by force and rapin; by providing and laying up suste∣nance, by discerning and distinguishing some Meats from others, and doing such like actions as tend to sustain and keep themselves from perishing: For∣asmuch as Beasts are so framed by Nature, that by their Meats, by their Retiring Places, &c. they are disposed to those Motions, from which they use to be prompted to Feed, and to betake them∣selves to their Receptacles: Whence it comes to pass, that they distinguish the Meat agreeable to them, from that which is not; and that they de∣cline some things, and accept of others: For Ex∣ample, for the curing of Diseases, and restoring to Health from any Distemper; the Ring-Dove and Blackbird make use of Laurel. For purging the Belly, the Dog hath recourse to Grass; the Hen, to the Wall-flower; the Swallow useth Ce∣landine for clearing the Sight; the Tortois, Ori∣ganie against all sorts of Poison: To which choice doubtless, they are only prompted by the very inspection of the Herb, because of the different temper of the Body, and the various contexture of the Fibres. Forasmuch as from Trees and Herbs such Emanations arise, as are proportionate to the Sensorium so affected, and not like those which flow from other sorts of Plants; and therefore, as Animals, when they are prest with Hunger, are not promiscuously allured by all sorts of Meat alike: So when they labour under any Distem∣per, they are not by the same impulse carried all to one and the same Herbs, but to those only, by which they are disposed, and in a sort attracted by the peculiar odour which affects them. Nor can any other reason be assigned, why the Stork makes use of his Bill and long Neck instead of a Clyster-Pipe to purge its self of all Noxious Hu∣mours; or why the Serpent rubs himself upon Fen∣nel to heal his diseased Eyes, except because the ill affection of the Belly and Eyes, prompts, allures and impels to these motions; whence it plainly ap∣pears, how prodigal of Reason they are, who al∣low it to Brute Animals, and have recourse to I know not what Soul, which must forsooth lie la∣tent in them, and be attributed as a principle to all their works, when as at the same time, there is no mutation to be discerned in them; things are always performed after one and the same manner; variety of place, time and age, produces no diver∣sity in their Operations, which happens not so in Man, as being participant of Reason: There be∣ing innumerable ways and modes of Human Acti∣ons: And there is not in every Man one only action, or one propensity as in Beasts, but in each Man a several Inclination, some proper to one, some to another, according to the condition of the Soul; whence it comes to pass, that there is so great a diversity of Opinions in the minds of Men, so that few Men think one and the same thing, hate one and the same thing, affect one and the same thing. Of the first Class of the Actions of Animals, enough hath been said already; let us now hasten to examin the others, in which there are appre∣hended some appearances, not only of Perception, but also of Judgment and Ratiocination, such as are Dubitation, Invention, Determination, &c.

XX. How it is that Ani∣mals doubt. It can scarce be denied, or indeed so much as questioned, but that Animals may sometimes seem to doubt, demur, or be, as they say, at a Non∣plus. We find that a Horse, when two bundles of

Hay, or two measures of Corn are set before him, makes choice of one and rejects the other; and it is not unpleasant, sometimes to behold a Cat, when Meat a little too hot is thrown to her, at a stand whether she should refuse it, or fall to: For first touching it with a light Foot, then nicely putting her Mouth to it, she hesitates a while, with her Ears shrunk up, as it were meditating in her mind which of the two she should prefer, feasting or ab∣stinence, till at length declining the latter, she makes choice of the first, and sticks to that resolution.

These and the like actions, which seem to argue in Brutes a liberty and indifference, are to be at∣tributed only to different motions which are in the Brain: For different Objects produce different Motions in the Organs of the external Senses, which by the help of the Nerves being carried into the Brain, excite some other motions, by which the Spirits being directed variously, impel the Conarion, and so bring it into an aequilibrium, so as not to incline more to one part than another: Whence it comes to pass, that Brute Animals re∣main indifferent, and seem unresolved whether to take, or leave their Meat: For since these Spirits are Corporeal, they excite opposite motions in the Glandule, which thwarting one another keep the said Glandule unmoved, and suffer it not to decline to one part more than another; and this happens not only to Brutes, but sometimes also to Men, that is, to those, who, being deprived of their Senses, act without Counsel or Design. MEDI∣NA makes mention of a certain Madman, who having two Apples offered him at the same time, could not resolve which to fix upon, and so in much perplexity remained a good while in suspence without tasting of either, till at length a certain Friend of his took the Apples, and presenting him with one, reserved the other till that was eaten; whence it evidently appears how different the hesitation of Brutes is from the suspension of Judgment. For when by Perception we discover any thing which was hid from us before, and of which we had not yet made any judgment, Our Mind by the help of the Will, that is, of that faculty which it hath of moving it self, and determining, remains doubtful, and suspends the Judgment; if it appre∣hends any obscurity in the thing, afterwards deli∣berates; and as soon as it finds the matter cleared, gives its assent, which it denies to other things which do not appear so clear and evident. But in regard Beasts want Will, and are only prompted by Corporeal Objects; no wonder they do not in reality either doubt or make choice of any thing with judgment, because not reflexion, but only a recourse of certain Images, causes the said dubitation.

XXI. The Craft and Sub∣tilty of some Crea∣tures. The Craft which most Animals make shew of, and the Wiles which they use in their Actions, are not thought to be made out with the like facility; foras∣much as so great a semblance of Reason appears in them, that some may possibly be induc'd to think, that the said Animals are led by Cognition, and act by an inspection of some end or design. But be∣cause the Fox excels all other Beasts in cunning and stratagems, and is therefore propos'd by some Writers as an example of subtilty, it will not be amiss to relate some of the Tricks and Machinati∣ons of this subtil Creature, in regard they being laid open, it will the better appear after what man∣ner the operations of other Animals are brought about. PLINY makes relation that the Foxes in Thrace do nothing inconsiderately, insomuch that being to pass frozen Rivers, they do not pre∣sently commit themselves to the hazardous passage of them; but first going softly, and with a light Foot, they apply their Ear and listen the better to make trial of the thickness of the Ice: For when they hear any thing of the murmur of the under∣flowing Water, they stop their course, and unless any danger attend them behind, stir not a foot farther; but in case no noise be heard, nor any fear of danger be discovered, they pursue their course and get clear over. For they seem to rea∣son with themselves after this manner: That which makes a noise is moved, that which is moved is not firm, that which is not firm must needs be fluid or liquid, that which is liquid can∣not be retained or kept back, but may give way; therefore this River is not to be passed. Another subtilty is related of this Creature by the same Author, in catching and getting possession of its Prey: When-ever he beholds a flight of Birds in the Air, rowling himself in Red Sand, that he may appear all bloody, holding his Breath and lolling out his Tongue, counterfeits himself dead; by which means when the Birds come to settle upon his Body, he on a suddain snaps them, and devours them. Likewise when he is hunted, and the Dogs drive so close upon him, that he is in danger of being taken, he makes use of this stratagem: Having stail'd he besprinkles his Tail with the Urin, then shaking it all about, he in∣deavours to avert the Dogs by the stink thereof, thereby to free himself from the harm that attends him. The like trick he makes use of to drive the Badgers from their Kennels; as soon as he per∣ceives them gone out, he enters in, and leaves such a stink with the Excrements he voids there, that they are forc'd to make their Lodgings elsewhere. No less Fox-craft is shewn in freeing themselves from the Fleas with which they are oft-times molested: For taking a wisp of Straw, or any sort of soft Stubble, they plunge the hinder part of the Body in cold water, from which the Fleas flying, get up to their Heads, which then they plunge in like manner in the water, upon which the Fleas make their escape into the Straw or Stub∣ble; and by this means the Foxes get away and leave their Guests behind them. A greater strata∣gem than all these the famous Sir KENELM DIGBY relates of a Fox, who being hard pres∣sed by the Dogs, entred into a Warren, and there hung upon a Rafter among the Carcases of the slain Animals, until such time as the Dogs having lost the scent, were passed by the place. Also of ano∣ther, who urged by the like necessity, caught hold of a Broom Shrub which shot up over the Mouth of his Kennel, which was plac'd in the broken clift of a Rock, and to which there was an easier access by another way, and so by an accustomed and well-known passage, slipt safe into the Hole, whilst the Dogs eager in pursuit, and not suspecting the danger of the passage, fell down among the Rocks to their destruction.

XXII. Passion al∣ways fol∣lows Appe∣tite, and the altera∣tion of Ani∣mal Spirits is made in the Body. Now that the Cause of these Operations may be the better demonstrated, two things are to be sup∣posed out of what hath been already said; First, That always some affection accompanies the sen∣sitive

Appetite. For it cannot be otherwise to make every Animal have an Appetite or Aversa∣tion, but that some perturbation must spring up in his Body, which taking its source from the Blood and Spirits, dilates or contracts the Vessels or Ventricles of the Heart, and at the same time agitates other parts of the Body; by which it comes to pass, that according to the various recepti∣on of Spirits, some passages of the Nerves are in∣cited to an opening or shutting, and thereupon the Animal is rendred prone to follow after or de∣cline: Hence Brutes if they are prest with Hunger, are unquiet, and by the Nerve of the Sixth Con∣jugation, inordinately agitated in the Ventricle are impelled to the motions of the Members adapted to the pursuit of Aliment. Secondly, When as all the motion of the Body of an Animal is stirred up by the contacts of exteriour Objects, it comes to pass that in the Ventricles of the Brain certain Pores are opened by the transcourse of Animal Spi∣rits, which retain a greater facility of opening themselves, than those through which the Spirits have not yet pierc'd: Whence it comes to pass, that if any Object occur, like to that at whose presence those distinct draughts are delineated, the Animal Spirits stirred up into motion, fall into the Vestigia formerly made, and after the same manner as before, move the Members of the Body. As if •• Bull, for examples sake, be several times remo∣ved from a fertile into a barren and unfruitful S••il; the Stomach being stirred up with Hunger, and pricking the Membrans with an acrimonious Humour, the passages of the Ventricle are twitcht by the Spirits, which being carried to the Brain, and making their Course through paths already formed, represent to the Bull the more delicious Meat formerly fed on, and those more fertile Fields where heretofore he used to feed, and which entring the sources of the Nerves, pass into the Muscles designed for the moving of the Legs, and as it were compel them to make after their for∣mer Pastures: For tho' their Memory be not indued with any great activity, and that facility, and those draughts which are imprest in the Brain, and which the Spirits leave in the Fibres through which they are carried, may seem to perform little; yet they produce all those wonderful effects which are observed to be in Brute Animals, and induce the greatest part of Mankind to believe that they make use of Cognition, and are govern'd and prompted by some Spiritual latent Principle. Nay, if the matter were throughly searcht into and ex∣amined, Memory is the effective cause of most of the Actions which we negligently and without at∣tention perform, as I have formerly hinted con∣cerning the Minstrels.

XXIII. How the Foxes in Thrace be∣ing to pass a River, lay their Ear to the Ice. These things thus premised, let us return to our Foxes: As for those in Thrace, which refuse to commit themselves to the congealed Rivers till they have first made proof of the solidity of the Ice; it is certain that they do not do this by Judgment, but by the benefit of Memory; since it might possibly happen, that the noise of the Water being heard from another place under the same covering, they might notwithstanding their politick listning, fall in and suffer no small preju∣judice in those Bodies of theirs they take all this care of: Or that in the Winter time when they have discovered the course of the Waters, they have been seised with cold, the Memory whereof smi∣ting their Phantasie, deters them from swimming at that time: But as to their moving their Ear to the Ice to explore the thickness thereof, that pro∣ceeds from fear, by which the Spirits being excited, betake themselves to those Muscles which are inser∣vient to the bending of the Head, and terminate at the Ear which is to be applied to the Ice: Whence it is apparent, that the Fox in this case makes no use of Ratiocination, but is impelled by Affection; is not indued by Cognition, but actuated by Passi∣on alone to such like Motions.

XXIV. How the Fox to get Birds, coun∣terfeits himself a∣nother Creature. But as to their lying as dead in ambush to catch by surprise the unwary Birds; as to their lifting up and setting their hinder Feet against the stem of a Tree with their Head downward and their Fore-Feet on the ground, and smiting often with their Tail against the Tree, thereby to strike a terror into the Hens, and cheat with a shew of some other Animal leaning against the Tree: As to the shooting the light of their sparkling Eyes upon the Hens, while their whole Bodies besides lie hid in the umbrage of the Night; that being inticed by the said light, they may forsake their Perches where they roost, and lighting on the ground, fall into their Clutc••es: All this is to be attributed not so much to their Craft as to Chance. For it might probably happen, that a Fox wearied with a long march, might lie down upon the ground and fall asleep, to whom, lying as it were dead, the Hens might very well approach without fear; which the awaking Fox perceiving, still counterfeits himself asleep, the better to take his opportunity of fall∣ing upon them unawares. The like luck hapned to a Fox mentioned by PETRARCH, which Fox when the Fishermen that carry Fish to the City, as commonly they do in a Summers Night, found lying for dead across the way, they took him up, intending to flea him for his Skin, and threw him into the Pannier of Fish, whereof when he had plentifully feasted, out leapt the Fox, and to the great astonishment and vexation of the Fishermen, got clear away with his Belly full of Fish. By the like fortune it might be, that when a Fox saw Hens roosting on a Tree, and not being able to reach them, ran round about the Tree, as seeking some place of advantage whereby to raise himself to a higher station, mean while the Prey fell into his Mouth, and he injoyed his wish with∣out any further trouble. Whence it is probable, these tricks so happily succeeding, that afterwards upon the barking of an empty Stomach, and the instigation of Hunger, the Spirits repeat those pas∣sages of the Brain which they entred, when ly∣ing as asleep or dead upon the ground, he thereby got his Prey. Which Artifice, often repeated, be∣comes a custom, and fixes deep into his Memory, so that when ever after he hunts for Food and lights upon any Prey, he repeats the same series of actions, and makes use of the same stratagem, as hath formerly proved so prosperous and successful to him. The truth of it is, many actions which appear not a little strange in Beasts, at first were performed by them, by some certain casualty, which actions having afterwards been made fami∣liar by frequent experience, passed into habit••, which seemed to carry in them a great deal of Wit and Sagacity; and such in all probability was the chance of a certain Wood-Fo•• (mentioned by

the famous Dr. WILLIS) who to get into his Clutches a Turky, pearching upon the Bough of a Tree, made use of this device to catch it: He cir∣cuits about the Tree with a very swift and eager pace, keeping an intent Eye all the while upon the Bird, and by this means obliged him to return the like intention of aspect, which to do, he was forc'd to turn about his Head so often, till at length becoming giddy, and taken with a Vertigo, he falls from his Pearch into the very Jaws of his Enemy.

XXV. How the Foxes de∣ceive the Hens by di∣recting their Eyes towards them. By the same reason it is that Foxes, by casting fixedly their Eyes upon the Hens, either seduce them, or attract them; forasmuch as it was likely enough to come to pass by chance, that while the Foxes were prest with hunger, and stood gaping after their prey that sate aloft, they might so long direct their Eyes upon the Hens, that they either astonish'd at the Foxes sparkling Eyes, or struck with suddain fear, might slip down, and fall into the Jaws of the Insidiatours, by reason that the Hens, either affrighted by the continual sparkling brightness of the Foxes Eyes, or thinking them∣selves already taken by the Enemy, are seised with such a sudden astonishment and confusion, that they cease and let fall all their natural Functions; as if their Bodies had no offices to perform: By which means it happens that they first begin to totter, and immediately thereupon by the solution of the Nerves in their Legs, drop half dead upon the ground. The same thing is also obser∣ved in other Birds, who when the Cats get upon the Boughs of the Trees, and thence fix their Eyes upon them, as if a suddain Vertigo seised them, they drop down from their Pearches upon the ground.

XXVI. How the Fox pursu∣ed by the Dogs, comes to dip his Tail in Urin. As to the Craft of Foxes, when they are in dan∣ger, watering their Tail in their own Urin, and sprinkling the Dogs Eyes, this I take to proceed not from the Foxes cunning, but the fear that sei∣seth him. For it is a common thing among all Creatures upon the apprehension of an approach∣ing danger, to let their Urin pass from them, as it were unawares; in regard the Spirits being then disturbed, are hindred from their wonted Functions, and the Nerves in the Bowels being relaxed, there follows a profluvium of the Excre∣ments; and whereas upon the said fear they con∣tract their Tails, and draw them in between their hind Legs, they must needs be soak'd in Urin, which upon the shaking of their Tails is sprinkled into the Dogs Eyes, and almost blinding them, hinders their pursuit.

XXVII. How it is that Foxes free them∣selves from Fleas. Nor doth that Craft of the Fox to free himself when he is bitten by Fleas, depend upon a higher cause: For in the Summer time, when itching accompanied with heat is stirred up in his Body, to remove the same, he enters into a River, where first having found some refrigeration in his Feet, he ventures to enter deeper, and by degrees immergeth all the other parts of the Body; but to avoid the necessity of plunging in too deep, and the trouble of swimming, which would probably heat him afresh, he carries along with him in his Mouth into the River boughs of Trees, or wisps of Hay or Stubble, to which the Fleas fly∣ing for refuge to avoid drowning, and sticking thereupon, leave their Landlord clear of them. In the mean time the Fox finding his Limbs finely cool'd and refresh'd, returns into the Wood from his importunate Train, and delivered from the vexatious itching that had so lately molested him. Whereupon afterwards mindful of the pleasure and profit he thus received in the water, when∣ever the like occasion happens, he resolves upon the same method, betakes himself to the same acti∣ons, till at length the trick becomes familiar, and by frequent reiteration turns into a habit, because after the Vestigia of the Memory have brought back upon the Glandule the first Image of the thing, the Spirits returning by the same passages flow into the same Muscles, and so dispose the Foxes Body to produce the same actions he had produc'd by occasion of the Object that first exci∣ted: So that all Arts which Animals put forth on several occasions, depend upon the observation that comes into their Memory, of what before succeeded or not succeeded, as may be demon∣strated in Thales his Ass, who when laden with Salt, had a River to pass, and by chance plung∣ing somewhat deep in, melted the Salt, found himself eas'd of his burthen thereby, by which success being incouraged, he as often as he en∣tred the said River, went in on purpose the far∣ther, and rolled himself with his burthen in the waters, nor could he be reclaimed from this man∣ner of acting, till in the place of the Salt, a Sack of Wool was put on his Back, which being made more ponderous by sucking in the waters, eluded his Asinine subtilty, and caused the Master from thenceforth to take new measures, and abolish a custom so incommodious to him.

XXVIII. What is the cause that Beasts re∣member. For when Sense or Imagination hath disposed the Animal Spirits to begin their course, the tracts thereof which are formed in the Brain, are so much the more deeply imprest, as the Acti∣on of the Animal Spirits hath been the stronger, or hath lasted a longer time, or hath been the oft∣ner reiterated; for such strength, duration and reiteration are the causes that these tracts are not easily to be effac'd, and that they are in such sort conserved, that they may be raised there again, a long time after. And thus you have in a few words what it is that occasions the Memory of Beasts, tho' they are not capable by Discourse or Speech to express it.

XXIX. How it is that the Fox drives the Badger out of his own Hole. As to the trick made use of by the Fox to drive the Badger out of his Hole, that is to say, by staling or voiding his Excrement; I find not in the performance thereof, that there can be any necessity of having recourse either to Judgment or Providence, since there is nothing in it but what may be ver••▪ well effected by instinct of Nature: For what is more natural to Beasts, than to defile with their Urin or Dung any place where they have continued never so small a time, if necessity at that time urgeth; so that it need not in the least be questioned, but that a Fox entring a Badgers Den when he is absent, may very well leave a notable stink behind him, and that through the abhorrence thereof the Badger may be driven to seek out for another place to Kennel in.

XXX. Whether it be an evi∣dence of Reason, that the Fox when he is hard pursued by the Dogs should hang himself up by the Teeth among dead Carcases. I must confess it is not so easie to make out, how a Fox should without Knowledge, so indu∣striously defend himself from the Hounds fol∣lowing him with a great Cry, by intermingling himself (if what is related of him be true) among the Carcases, which by chance were hung up in

the Warren, unless with the Illustrious DIGBY, we grant it might so happen, that the Fox through fear or lassitude, seeking out for a skulking hole, and not finding in that plain tract of Earth (such as a Cony Borough or Hare Warren useth to be) any Bush, Bramble or Hillock, or any other place to betake himself to, except that Animals Gallows (as we may call it) where such sort of Beasts were hung up, might be induc'd, his Phantasie so suggesting, especially when he was driven to the utmost of his Course, to intermingle himself among the said Carcases, which seemed to him in a state of deep repose; and since it could be no other way effected but by hanging himself up by the Teeth, he put himself in that posture, and so con∣tinued till such time as the Dogs running under the place, overshot their Prey, which they little suspected to be hanging in the Air, and so lost the scent, which while they endeavoured to reco∣ver, he by hastning into the next Woods and Co∣verts, and getting away by stealth, took another Path, and thereby clearly evaded the danger and streights he had been reduc'd to.

XXXI. How it is that the Fox close followed by the Dogs, had the luck to catch hold on a Broom Bough which hung ••ver a Pre∣cipice. As to that Fox, who from a Broom Bough which he laid hold on, threw himself into his skulking Hole (the ordinary place of refuge when∣ever near it) being so hard prest behind by the Dogs, that he could not go the readier way where there was an easier passage in; on the one side, the ingress taking up his whole Phantasie, on the other side the Precipice, which he had often seen, being called to mind, it could not be otherwise but upon the concurrence of these two things, he must needs be admonish'd to use great Caution for his safety in getting into this Hole; and it was but natural for a Creature that was to undergo so great a danger, to catch hold upon any thing that might help him in his leap; and since there was nothing that offered it self at that instant besides the Broom Bough, which by chance hung over the Hole, he caught hold on the same with his Mouth, and thereby gaining an opportunity of poising himself for the better fetching of a new sort of leap, he threw himself cleverly into the said Hole; mean while the Dogs pursuing the Chace with the same speed and eagerness as before, were upon the brink of the Precipice before they perceived there was any danger there, in which extremity, neither being able to retreat back, nor to put a stop to their career, they fell in and perish'd in their fall. Yet all this while there is no necessity to imagine, that the Fox contrived this destruction for them, or brought them designedly into this destructive Path; but in the first place it was ef∣fected by his meeting with this refuge from the hard pursuit of the Dogs; and next he was prompt∣ed by his Memory, which had upon some such like case before suggested to him, how to shift for himself when-ever the necessity of declining the like danger should require.

XXXII. Certain Phaenome∣na which indeavour to prove that Ratio∣cination belongs to Brutes. And here what hath been already said, indu∣ceth us not to pass by certain Phaenomena, by which some take upon them to attribute to Brute Animals the faculty of Ratiocination, and judge them to be indued not only with Cognition and Perception, but with Discourse also. For exam∣ple, when a Dog hath two ways to go in quest of his Master, he thus seems to reason with himself; my Master certainly went one of these two ways, as is evident from the scent of his Footsteps, but he went not this way, therefore he must needs have gone this way. And when a Dog in pursuit of his Prey, comes to a threefold Path, the first and second being smelt to, and found not to be the right, he immediately without delay, or putting his Nose any more to the Ground, takes his pro∣gress through the third. But the real cause of these two actions is no other than the instinct which Nature hath infused into these sort of Animals to perform such and such actions.

For in regard a Scent evaporates by a continu∣al effluvium from Man, Hart, Buck, Hare, &c. and adheres to other things, the Dog hunts out the scent of Master, Hare, Hart, &c. imprest up∣on the Vestigia or Footsteps, and being not in the least moved by the scent of the traces of any other Body, no wonder if he take that way by which his Master or the Hare went. Nor is it to be objected that the Dog doth not this by his Scent, but only induc'd by this sort of reasoning, The Hare hath made his escape by one of these three ways, but he is not gone this way nor that way, therefore it must needs be that he hath made his escape by the third way. Forasmuch as this is but a meer fiction, and not the reasoning of a Dog, but of a Man: For the Dog is no other ways but by the scent led into that Path to which he is induc'd by his quick scented Nose; for when he finds it, he pricks up his Ears, and with great speed pursues his Prey, because the vapour of the scent filling his Nose, he hath no more to do, but to give himself the loose and follow the tract of it. Whereby it evidently appears, how different this way of Operation is from Discourse or Ratio∣cination; since the Dog advances not from one Cognition to another, nor discovers any unknown Verity by the help of another known. For such a power is capable of Intellect, because of its Per∣ception; and of Will, because it applies the Intel∣lect to Inquisition, and Consideration of its Object. Which Faculty seems to be instead of a conse∣quence of a Created Mind. For Brute Animals, as LUDOVICUS VIVES observes in his Second Book De Anima, begin not from A and so pass on to B to know C, nor from B as conjunct and proceeding from A, but because A pleaseth not, they seek another thing, and so fall upon B; as when a Dog follows his Master hunting after a Wild Beast, he both by scent and sight discerns him to be a Man: If it be correspondent with the scent and aspect of his Master, he rests satis∣fied, tho' it be not the very same person; but if otherwise, leaving him, he betakes him to ano∣ther, thence to another, tho' having no coherence with the former, till he lights upon him whom he seeks.

XXXIII. How it is that the Torpedo catches other Fishes. Among the subtile Wiles of Brute Animals, the Craft of the Torpedo or Cramp-fish uses to be made mention of. This Creature is skulking in muddy places, the better to lie in wait for small Fishes which it feeds upon, casting such a num∣ness upon them, that as soon as ever they rise above water it easily catches them, and devours them. Moreover, the Writers of the Wonders of Art and Nature, deliver of this Fish, that by touching only the Line of an Angle Rod, let down into the Water, it conveys quite up to the very Hand of him that holds the Rod, such a

benumming quality, that be he never so strong a Man, he finds all the Joints and Sinews of his Hands and Arms so enfeebled, as not to be able to hold any thing in his Hand, and so likewise in his Legs and Feet, as not to go at least with any speed or swiftness of pace. The Cause of all which it will not be very difficult to demonstrate, if we consider that it is Natural to this and other sorts of Fish of a cold Nature, so to cover and as it were arm themselves with Mud, that the Fishes when they approach, are upon the emis∣sion of this Venenous quality, immediately seiz'd with such a Numness as if they were all frozen and bound in Ice. Forasmuch as such sort of Spi∣rits are emitted from the Body of the Torpedo, as penetrating the substance of the Fish, or reaching the Hands, Feet, or other Members of those that touch, benum their Spirits coming forth to meet them, and consequently stupifying those parts of the Body, render them feeble, tremulous, and un∣apt for motion, and that so throughly, that the business is effected before the Fish are taken either by Net or Angling-Rod. The same may be said of the Sepia or Cuttle-Fish, who finding danger approaching from the hands of the Fisherman, sends forth a certain black Liquor, by which the Water being all ting'd, and putting on a black or sable Hue, he dexterously failing all the Arts of the Fishermen gets away safe and secure. But nei∣ther doth this Stratagem any more, than any of the rest, proceed from any Discoursive Faculty or act of Reason, but from a laxation or loosning of the Nerves caused by Fear; as hath been already discourst concerning the Fox, who for fear voids his Urine; so the Cuitle-Fish vomits out a Liquor much like Ink, from the diffusion whereof through the Waters proceeds the fore-mentioned Effect.

XXXIV. How comes it to pass that Brute Beasts fear Men, and fly the sight of them. Neither doth it argue more of Reason, that Beasts stand in fear of Men, and usually fly and decline the sight of them as Enemies, since that fear proceeds from the remembrance of some da∣mage which at some time or other they have re∣ceived. For the Cause of Passions, as well in Brute Animals as in us, is nothing else but the Agitation by which the Spirits stir up the Glan∣dula which is placed in the midst of the Brain, from the inequality of whose agitation, and the variety of parts whereof they consist, the Spirits themselves are diversly deduc'd into the Muscles, and create different Affections. Whereupon, when the Spirits, which constitute the Idea of any thing, have once form'd a way to themselves, and intruded themselves among the filaments, of which the sub∣stance of the Brain is composed, there is not re∣quir'd so great a force by which they are obliged a second time to repeat that way, as was needful at first to prepare the said way for them; whence it comes to pass, that when the like Species shall be form'd upon the Glandula, that facility alone which they find of advancing through their first path, will suffice for them again to enter it. Wherefore, no wonder if Brute Animals for damages offer'd them by Men, or Terrors thereby incurr'd, are not able for the future to look upon them, but that the Idea of the harm must presently occur, and they thereby be stirr'd up to flight; as we see in some Men, who having drunk a Medicin with great aversion, cannot after that eat or drink any thing that hath the like kind of taste or savour, but with great abhorrence and aversion; nor can in like manner so much as think of the aversion usual in taking of such Medicins, but that the same must return again into their Minds. And that this is the true and genuine Cause why Beasts fly the sight of Men, may hence be confirm'd, viz. because there are many Regions discover'd (especially in the New▪World) where it is found by Experience, that neither Birds nor Beasts do in the same manner fear or fly the sight of Men as among us, who treat them more inhumanly, and suffer no place where such Crea∣tures harbour to be at rest from our Fowling-Pieces, and our Venatory Instruments. Moreover, it is observ'd in the Island of Chio and other places, that Partridges never fly away, but are kept tame in great Covies, and oftentimes betake themselves in great numbers into thick inhabited and frequented Towns and Villages, no otherwise than as Sheep are fed and kept in Folds among us.

XXXV. How it comes to pass that young Animals, who never saw Men before, should fly them at first sight. But there remains yet one Difficulty to be solv'd; for tho' Beasts, who have suffer'd injury from Men, may by the benefit of their Corporeal Memory be affrighted at the sight of Men, and upon discovery thereof betake themselves to flight; yet how comes it, that young Animals who have not seen the Face of Man before, should shrink back and be shy at the sight of what they have not yet seen? For the solution of this Difficulty, it will be sufficient to mind what hath been dis∣coursed in my Philosophical Institution and History of Nature, concerning some Sympathies and Anti∣pathies of Men, namely, that the Image of a thing seen being depainted in the Brain, is by the help of the Animal Spirits convey'd into the common Sensorium, or Seat of the Sensus Communis, and from thence by the mediation of the Blood and Spirits, to the Uterus or Womb, and through the Umbilical Vein to the Birth it self, in which the Image of the thing seen, because of its softness is strongly imprinted, which tho' in the beginning it be but small, yet by little and little the substance of the Birth being enlarg'd, it increaseth just as a Letter engraven with a Penknife in a Pompion, or the Barks of Trees, is dilated, and by degrees re∣ceives Increment through the Bark. For it can∣not be doubted, but that Brute Animals having receiv'd damage from Men, or an impression of Fear, transmit the Species thereof into the Birth, forasmuch as by those motions their Temperament is alter'd, and the disposition of Parts inverted, which afterwards being communicated to the Birth, by the Seed, generate the same propension there∣in. For we see it happens very often in the Sons of Mathematicians, that they are more delighted than any other sort of Men in the Drawing of Figures, and designing of Proportions, and that they are led as it were by a certain Instinct of Nature to the learning of those kind of Arts, which undoubtedly from their Nativity they are addicted to, and that upon no other ground but from the Imagination of the Parents, which altering the Nature of the Seed, and inverting the Temperament of the whole Body, imbues the Birth thence springing with the same propensities.

XXXVI. How some Beasts come to be so Capable by Instruction and Disci∣pline. The time now requires, that we should pass on to the third Classis of Actions, that is, of such as Animals attain to by Exercise and Discipline, and which seem so wonderful to those that observe and

consider them, that they can hardly be otherwise persuaded, but there is Cogitation in these Crea∣tures. The Hawk is taught by his Instructor how to hunt after Partridges, and other sorts of Birds, and with erected Ears receives his Instructors words, andwhen he is let fly to catch the Prey, upon the Falconers hortatory Outcries, encourag¦ing him still to a stouter prosecution of his work, he grows fiercer and fiercer, and follows the Ene∣my with an extraordinary ardour of Spirit. The Famous Jastus Lipsius, in his first Century of Epistles to the Hollanders, makes mention of a Dog of a British Race, who was taught to go to Market, to carry the Mony, and to bring home the Meat. It was thus perform'd: They hung a Handbasket about his Neck, with Mony in it for so many Joints of Meat as there was occasion for; with this the Dog goes directly without stop or stay into the Market, to a known Butchers-Stall, there receives the Meat, and away comes the Dog with his Marketting home. Setting-Dogs, who have an innate Inclination to set upon Partridges, are so taught by Art, that upon the sight of them they are to stand unmov'd, and never till the Sign be given, to rise or move a Foot. ARRIAN US is Cited by CARDAN, as relating that he saw an Elephant, who having two Cymbals in his Ears, toucht them alternately with his Snout or Trunk, to a certain Tune that was set for that purpose, and danc'd to the Measure of the said Tune in Consort with others that were engaged and had a part in the said Dance.

XXXVII. The Cause of the di∣versity of Motions in Ani∣mals. These Operations in Animals will be more clearly made out, if it be granted that the double Nature of Brutes proceeds from the different texture of the Fibres and quality of the Humors; whereby it comes to pass that some are more pro∣pense to one Motion of Passion, others to another, to which the unequal commotion of the Spirits in them doth not a little conduce. For since some of those parts of which the Spirits consist are more gross than others, and rais'd to a quicker Motion, the said Spirits pass on by a direct Line into the Cavities of the Brain, and from thence are led into other Muscles, into which they had not been led had they been endued with less force.

XXXVIII. How a Hawk is to be brought up for the better catching of its Prey. The Hawk therefore being a Creature Vora∣cious by Nature, and adapted by Kind to follow Prey, is without any difficulty taught to bring it to us, if we contribute to the improving its Na∣ture, and accommodate our selves to its Inclination, since this whole business chiefly consists in this, namely, to keep the Hawk as much as may be from Sleep, and almost continually to be stroaking it, so to make it to become Tame to that degree, as scarcely to take any Meat, but from the Fist; which familiarity being for some days used, it be∣comes accustomed in time to fly after its Food, thrown at some distance from it: In the next place, to hunt after a blind Pigeon let loose before it, which if it catch, that being snactht out of its Talons, another piece of Flesh is cast before it, to feed upon, as given for a reward of its Labour; which Exercise being for some time repeated, the Hawk accustoms himself by degrees to fly after all Birds whatsoever, and when taken leaves them for the Master, being himself contented with a small Reward. Whence it is to be concluded, that all this work consists chiefly in this, That the Hawk, as is inbred in him by Nature to do, accommodates himself to the Art, and follows that Rule of feed∣ing which Nature hath prescribed potentially, but which is improv'd by the Instruction by us given for our advantage and pleasure, in which obsequi∣ousness of the Hawk nothing of Reason is to be discern'd, but only the Industry of the Instructor appears.

XXXIX. How Ani∣mals are capable of Discipline. As to those Animals that are capable of Disci∣pline, as are Dogs, Elephants, &c. it must be con∣sider'd, that the Discipline whereof they are capa∣ble depends principally on the 7th pair of Nerves, for from thence it is that the Nerve Auditive hath communication by its Envelopement, and, it may be, likewise by its Fibres with the Branches, which advance some to the Exteriour Ear, others to the Muscles of the Larinx, others to other parts of the Body; and hence it is that Animals, when they hear any Noise, cannot but erect their Ears, utter their Cries, and move themselves after their several ways; the Reason is, because when the Nerve Auditive is touch'd and excited, the other Nerves with which it hath communication are mov'd in such sort, that the Animal Spirits are dis∣posed to flow into the Muscles, which serve for the Moving of the Ears and other Mem∣bers.

XL. How we are to con∣ceive of a Dogs Catching∣hold of a thing. This Communication of the Nerves of the Hearing with that of the Voice, and other parts being granted: It is evident that when we see a Dog ready, for Example, to catch hold of any thing, there needs no more to be done, but to shew him a piece of Bread, and to cry at the same time that he is in this posture, Hold fast, for the Noise of that Saying will not fail to cause the Animal Spi∣rits to flow across from the Brain at that very time that the presence of the Object causeth others to flow into the Muscles, which serve to make the Dog catch hold, which being reiterated several times, the habit thereof may in such sort joyn the two Courses of the Animal Spirits, that at last the only uttering these words, Hold-fast, will be ca∣pable not only to excite the Courses of the Animal Spirits, which are answerable to one another, but also that which serves to cause the Dog to Catch hold without any necessity of the Bread being there.

XLI. By what Art the Dog at Brussels was taught to go to the Butchers and bring home Meat. By the like Care and Art Dogs are taught to carry Letters and other things to any certain place, as LIPSIUS reports of the Dog at Brussels, who doubtless was brought to it by continual Use and Custom. There is no question, but a Master or Servant taking a Dog along with him to the Shambles, gave him Meat for a reward of his La∣bour, and afterwards hanging a Hand-basket about his Neck return'd with him to the same place, and renew'd the Reward; to which Service the Dog was so accustom'd, that whenever the said Basket was hung about his Neck, he made to the Shambles of his own accord, and having received his Burthen, return'd home. But no Man I think will attribute this action to Judgment or Reason, but only to Assuefaction or Custom gain'd by long use, which may be easily evinc'd from the Event: For if it hapned, as the same LIPSIUS observes, that in his way home other Dogs invited by the scent should come smelling a bout him, and set upon him to take it away, then must he be driven either to

defend the Basket and put the Invaders to flight; or if overcome by number or strength, to fall in with the rest and take his share of the Prey; by which it is evidently demonstrated, that the Image imprest in his Brain, of carrying the Basket to his Master, was disturb'd by another stronger Image, namely of repelling the Invaders, which latter Image a third yet follow'd in order, to wit, of taking share of that Flesh, for the preservation whereof he had a little enter'd Combat, that is to say, this last Image conducting the Spirits, which are inservient to the Motion of the Body into the Muscles, another conformable Action objected, was produc'd, which was at the same time delineated in the Brain, and this could be no other, than that of partaking of the Flesh, which as the case then stood was represented as the most convenient and profi∣table for him. And not much unlike this last, was the Education of another Dog mention'd by PLUTARCH, who was so well In∣structed, to represent Arguments and Persons in a Scene, that no Stage-Player could do it more neatly and exquisitly, and particularly he took upon him the person of a Man that took Poyson in a piece of Bread, that is to say, a Morsel of Bread dipt in a Liquor which was feign'd to be Poyson, upon which he counterfeited to tremble, to totter in his gate, to be taken with a deadness and heaviness, and in the end he fell, and with his Limbs stretch'd out lay for dead, then was re∣moved and laid out as for Burial, as the Argument requir'd; yet after all this, when nothing less was expected, in the twinkling of an Eye, he first came to himself as it were out of a Dream, began to move his Head and Members, to open and roll his Eyes about, and lastly arose and went joyful and brisk, to shew himself to him for whom he had done all this.

XLII. How a Dog is taught to Set for Partridges. But to proceed farther, That some Animals are taught to act contrary to their own proper Instinct, and omit that which they seem to be impell'd to by a certain force of Nature, doth no more than the rest evince, that they are any way endued with Reason; since we see in Men, that divers Motions of Fibres or Spirits which represent Objects to the Mind, or excite certain Affections, do by long use, and sometimes also by accident, excite other successive Motions. For although the Motions, as CARTESIUS excellently, after his manner, affirms in his Treatise of the Passions, both of the Glandule, Spirits and Brain, which represent some certain Objects to the Soul, be naturally joyn'd with those which excite therein certain Passions; nevertheless they may by Habit be thence sepa∣rated, and be joyn'd with others of a very diffe∣rent Nature; nay, this Habit may be acquir'd by one only Action, and that without long use. As for Example, when on a sudden and beyond Ex∣pectation some very loathsom thing shall be found in Meat that is eaten with a very greedy Appetite, this sudden chance may so alter the disposition of the Brain, that thenceforth the very sight of that Meat may possibly not be endur'd, which for∣merly was eaten with great delight, which very thing is also observ'd in Beasts: For tho' they are void of Reason, and all manner of Cogitation; yet all Motions of the Spirits and of the Glandule, which excite Passions in us, are also in them, and serve for the preserving and confirming, not as in us of the Affections, but of the Motions of the Nerves and Muscles, which use to accompany them. So when a Dog sees a Partridge, he is Naturally inclined to run after it, and when he hears the sound of a Musquet shot off, that Sound naturally disposes to flight; yet it is an ordinary thing for a Setting-Dog to be so Instructed, as to stop at the sight of a Partridge, and on the other side, to run after any thing shot out of a Gun upon hearing the Report thereof; to do which they are not led by Judgment, as I said before, but by the fear of Stripes, or some kind of Disci∣pline, by which the Motions of the Spirits and Nerves, joyn'd by Nature with certain impressions of Objects, are totally diverted and remove into other parts.

XLIII. How an Elephant is taught to beat upon Cim∣bals. But that an Elephant should beat upon Cimbals tied to his Ears, is no great matter of Admira∣tion, since by a small deal of Industry and Disci∣pline he might easily be brought to it; in regard this Animal is of a very capacious and hot Brain, and consequently easily imitates those things which are proposed to it. Add hereunto, that he hath a prompt and ready Proboscis, capable of touching the Cimbals alternately, and thereby producing a certain rude, if we may so call it, Harmony, by which all those who were present were induced to a Dance, according to the Laws or Rules aforehand prescribed.

XLIV. The Cause of these Operations in Brutes is only Memory, and the disposition of the Parts of the Body. From these few examples it plainly appears, that Cognition is not required to the performan∣ces which we behold in Brute Animals; but that Memory, the hability of the Members of the Body and Custom suffices: Or if any one will needs call them the works of Reason or Intelli∣gence, they may indeed be so allowed, but not of the Reason of the Animals, but of those who have instructed and taught them. Now if any one will have it, that Beasts are taught some actions by example and the imitation of others of the same Kind, and by institution; VIVES answers them in the above cited place. Brutes, saith he, teach their Young Ones to do that sooner, which never∣theless they would do of themselves; as a Bird teacheth her Young Ones to fly, a Cat her Kittens to hunt after Mice, that they may have the bene∣fit of seeing them like themselves as soon as may be, that is to say, perfect in their Kind; but we teach them to do what we would have them do, which they else would either never do, or at least in another manner than we design. Nor is our Doctrin any other thing in them than meer As∣suefaction or accustoming themselves, and that to nothing else but to some Corporeal Exercise, as to Speak, to Run, or in some manner or other to move their Body, or some part of their Body.

XLV. By some Examples it is shewn, that Beasts discourse one ano∣ther, and understand Human Speech. As to that manner of Speech or Discourse by which some Animals seem to speak to one another, and to discover thereby what their thoughts or de∣signs are; this appears most clearly in the Hen, who according to pleasure varies, and by divers Tones makes manifest the several Affections where∣with she is impelled; for if she calls out her Chickens, she feigns the Tone of a Raven; if the Kite be hovering over her, she drawls out, and somewhat elevates her Voice; if the Chicken chances to be catcht, she as it were groans and re∣peats that Tone with a kind of a Sob, &c. Hence PORPHYRIUS imagined, that Animals had

converse with each other by Speech, and that Tha∣les, Melampus, Tiresias and Apollonius Thyaneus understood their Language, as Virgil relates of Helenus, in the Third Book of his Aeneids,

—Who knowst the Stars, And Speech of Birds.

A Parrot falling out of a Window, in Whitehall, in the time of King Henry VIII. into the River Thames, flowing by the said Palace, began to cry out a Boat, a Boat, 20 l. for a Boat; where∣upon being taken up all wet by a Waterman, he was brought to the King in expectation of the promised hire, but the Parrot, then altering his Tone, cried out, Give the Knave a Shilling. A Magpie sometimes so exactly imitates the Voice of the Fowler, as thereby to impose upon the Dogs, and draw them on, while they take it to be the Voice of the Master. The same thing PLINY relates of the Hyaena, who counterfeiting Human Voice among the Shepherds Cottages, and having learnt the Name of some particular Person, calls him out by the said Name, whom coming forth by Night, he sets upon and tears to pieces. Horses, Dogs and Apes we find understand very well the speech of Man; forasmuch as they receive all their Dictates and Commands, and accordingly execute them. An Example hereof JUSTUS LIP∣SIUS gives us in a Dog at Lovain, who having letters sowed up in his Collar, and understanding by the words spoken to him, whither they were to be carried, went directly to Brussels with them, to a certain House well known to him, and there left them.

XLVI. How a Hen varies her Voice. That certain Animals do as it were attemper and manage their Voices, and seem after a sort to utter various sounds at pleasure, is not to be sup∣posed to proceed from Reason, and as if there were a certain Mind latent in them, by which their sounds were directed, but only from the Passions by which they are agitated: Which Passions inducing a various disposition in the Organs, are the cause that the Spirits are diversly emitted through the Aspera Arteria, and accordingly Beasts utter their various Tones, even as we experiment in our selves, who inflamed with Love, speak after one manner; affected with Hatred or Anger, after another. And altho' Cogitation may accompany the Motions of our Passion, that is to say, in re∣gard we are indued with a faculty of thinking, yet it is most evident, that those Motions do no way depend upon this Cogitation, in regard they oftentimes arise against our Will, and consequent∣ly the said Motions may very well be in Brutes, nay, and possibly more vehement than in Man. Yet can it not be from thence concluded, that they are indued with Cogitation. Different is the Pipation of a Hen, in regard she is affected with one Passion when she falls upon her Food, with another when she sees the Kite, with another when she is taken, with another when she calls away her Chickens, with another when she goes to Roost: So that we can never enough condemn those Per∣sons of Vanity, who in Antient Times have taken upon them to understand the Languages of Beasts, and pretended to know by their manner of Speech what they designed or acted.

XLVII. Parrots do not properly speak. Parrots indeed are taught to form articulate sounds, and by Custom are brought to pronounce many words, and yet they cannot properly be said to speak. For to Loquution or Speaking, two things are chiefly required, Motion of a Corpo∣real Organ, and Perception of Mind. For as in Sensibility there are three Degrees to be distin∣guished, as I have already hinted, viz. Motion of a Corporeal Organ, Cogitation of Mind, and de∣termination of Will to judge; so in speaking, the first Degree is Perception of Mind; the second, Judgment and Will to discover to another that which we conceive; the third, the Motion of the Corporeal Organ. Now in some Animals there is the third Degree of Speaking, but not the second or third: Because whereas Beasts are void of Mind, they design not by those words which they utter, to discover their internal Conceptions, but only declare those things, which by long labour they have learnt of Men, and whose signification, in time, utterly slips from them: For if some Birds have been so instructed, as to give some things their right Names, and promptly to answer to Questions ask'd them, this is only to be attributed to their Memory, no to their Understanding or Reason; as particularly in that Parrot, who, fall∣ing out of a Window of the King's Palace into the River of Thames, called out for a Boat, since there is no doubt, but he had formerly learn'd to pronounce those words, whereby it came to pass, that the species of them being by very frequent repetition imprest in the Brain, the Spirits and Or∣gans were determined to put forth ••he like sounds. As in that Magpie, which upon the sight or ap∣proach of his Mistress, used to utter the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. e. God save you, in regard this Sound or Voice accompanied such an affection, namely the hope of some good thing for the Belly, in regard that upon the uttering of this word he had been always used to be presented by her with some or other more delicate Bit than ordinary. In like manner, all those things which Dogs, Horses, or Apes are taught, are no other than the Motions in them of Hope, Fear or Joy; in so much that there is not in the least any need of Cogitation in them for the performance of these things.

XLVIII. How the Hyaena counterfeits Human Speech for the devour∣ing of Shepherds. As for the Magpie, Hyaena, and such like Crea∣tures imitating Human Voice, it can be attributed to nothing else, but to the sensitive plexus or tex∣ture of the Fibres, and the disposition of their Or∣gans. For their Bodies are so disposed, that when a human sound or accent smites their Ear, the Animal Spirits conduct it into the Muscles which are inservient to the formation of the Voice. And that the Hyaena should with a Voice, much re∣sembling human, call forth Shepherds to make a Prey of them, arises from hence; that his Sto∣mach being empty, the species of those Animals on which he used to feed, causes the Glandule, in∣clining it self to impel the Spirits into that part of the Brain in which are the Vestigia or Tracts which the aspect of these Animals left; and since the Image of the Object recurs not to the Brain, but when that also recurs which accompanied it: No wonder the Hyaena should feign or imitate Hu∣man Voice, being indued with a wonderful doci∣lity of Corporeal Organs, and able promptly to express what ever comes to the Ear.

XLIX. How i•• i•• to be under∣stood that some Ani∣mals have more In∣stinct than others. Th••s when they say that these Animals have more of Instinct than others; nothing else▪ i•• to be understood, but that the interiour and secret disposition of the invisible parts of their Bodies, and principally of their Brai•••• is such, that it re∣ceives more easily the different impressions of ex∣teriour Objects, and causes the Members to move in more different manners than those of other Animals.

L. How it comes that Dogs, Horses &c. obey our Words, and execute our Com∣mands. Horses, Dogs and Baboons, upon certain words or signs given, obey us, and execute our Com∣mands; nor is it therefore just to conclude, that they are indowed with Reason and Intellect, be∣cause we find by experience, that if other signs be given them, which tho' in reality more faci••e, yet are not suited to their innate capacity▪ they take no notice of the Commands there hinted▪ For Examples sake, if we should command a Dog to seek out for a Handkerchief lost a Month ago in a Garden, Closet or such like place, as we usually command him to fetch a Stick, just now thrown into a Pond, the Dog, instead o•• speed∣ing to the Garden or Closet, where it i•• signified that the Handkerchief was lost, will doubtless make directly to the Pond to look out for the Staff: Whence it plainly appears, that the Dog does not perform what he is commanded, as apprehending the Words spoken or Signs given him; but be∣cause the whole Machin of his Body hath obtain'd that habit and disposition by Labour and oft repea∣ted Instructions, so that as soon as the Sign is given him, the Animal Spirits are streight carried into the Nerves and Muscles, which dispose him to the doing of this or that thing; and so no wonder if the Dog of Lovain, having the Letters made fast to his Collar, made streight for Brussels, went to the House assign'd, and having discharg'd himself of his Letters, return'd directly to his Master, since all things which we see done by Beasts, and which so much stir up Admiration in us, are the meer effects of their Passions and Motions, by which we teach them and have a curb upon them, through the long exercise, labour and use which we are at in the Instructing of them.

LI. Certain Actions of Animals, wherein they even seem to ex∣ceed Men in Sagacity of Wit. There are now remaining to be Explained those Actions of Brutes which constitute the fifth Class, namely those Actions wherein they discover so much acuteness of Wit, that they seem even to exceed in that Rationality by which Men are commonly differenc'd and distinguished from them. In the first place it is admirable to see how deli∣cately and ingenuously some Birds proceed in making of their Nests. For Example, when the Swallows begin to be sensible of that alteration of their Condition, which desire and eagerness of Propagation is likely to bring upon them, they design their Nests after this manner: The big∣gest Straws and strongest of the Chaff being first laid as a foundation, they afterwards lay the softer and the lesser over: To this Fabrick they use Mud for a Cement, and daub their Nest all over with it, as with Mortar, and when this Mud is wanting, they fly to the next Pond, and there wetting the end of their Wings gather up Dust, with which as with Mud, they plaister up the rough places, close up the gaping Holes, and in all their Archi∣tecture so accommodate the dimension of their Fabrick to the shape of their Body, that they may have room to turn round so as commodiously to hatch upon their Eg••▪ and in such manner to plant themselves, that they may distribute an equal force of heat to all parts. And now their Nest being strewed wi••h Chaff, Moss and Feathers they lay ••heir Eggs, sit upon them, hatch their Chickens, and feed them. Another argument of Providence in Animals is, that upon the approach of Winter they remove into foreign Regions, the better to consult▪ for their advantage and subsistence. Of this sort are the Cranes, who every year in Spring time fly from South to North, and in Autumn fly back from North to South. The third Argument is, that some Animals presage things to come, and by a certain Cognition foretel those Phaenomena in the Air which hang over us; as the Heron, when she flies very high, and soars more than usually above the Clouds, predicts future Rain. The Kite, on the contrary, mounting up to the highest Region of the Air, and there hovering till the Evening, proclaims fair Weather. The same thing we find by experience of other Animals; for Example, the Cat, the Mole, the Bull, the Ram, the Dolphin, the Duck, the Cock, &c. which either by Voice uttered, by Crowing, by Frisking about, or the like, presage various sorts of Weather.

LII With what impulse Birds are carried in building their Nests. As to the Birds building their Nests at a cer∣tain season of the year, afterwards sitting upon their Eggs, hatching their Young Ones, nourish∣ing defending and covering them, &c. this ariseth only from the mutation of the temperature of their Body; by which the Fibres, and their Contex∣tures, in those Organs, especially which serve to Propagation, are so dispos'd, that that affection is easily thence derived, which prompts them to build their Nests, brood upon their Chickens, feed them when hatcht, &c. For to close with the Sen∣timent of the most Noble DIGBY, I think there is no Man will deny but that the desire of Co∣pulation in Birds, proceeds not from any impulsion or design of begetting their like, but from the temperament of the Blood and Spirits, produc'd by quality of the Food wherewith they are fed, together with the Season of the Year; however, after Copulation it must of necessity follow, that the Eggs grow in the Belly of the Female, and still increasing create trouble to her, and stir up a desire in her of being at rest, and of freeing her self from the burthen she labours with. And as Dogs and Cats, when necessity urges, are wont to look about for some commodious place, not only for the bringing forth of their Young, but also for voiding their Excrements. So Birds when the weight of their Eggs burthens them, and ren∣ders them unapt for flight, begin to indulge them∣selves very much to their repose, and take much delight in soft and warm places, so that Chaff, Moss, and the like, please them with their softness, which they therefore carry to their Nest. But that this action is not guided by Reason, is evi∣dent even from the very manner by which it is performed: For when they light upon Chaff, or any other thing commodious for the Litter of their Nests, they do not, as I have often observ'd in several Birds, carry it directly to their Nests, but first make towards the Bough of some Tree, or the Top of some House, and there with this piece of Housholdstuff in their Bill, hop up and down for some time, then leaving this place, fly to

another, where after a small time of some such like diversion, they at length betake themselves to their Nests; wherein if the Straws or chaffy Stalks should lie in a confused heap, they would be sub∣ject to be prickt by the sharp ends of them; whereupon they turn them up and down, till all the said sharp ends be laid smooth, and their de∣cumbiture be softned and made easie. Which we only seeing done, and comparing the Production thereof with the Method which we our selves should use in an exercise of the like actions, may possibly allow this disposition of Chaff Stalk to be prudent and directed by Reason. But whereas it proceeds from Birds themselves, it is no other than a frequent turning this way and that, of Bo∣dies which offend the Sense, till such time as they bring no further pain or trouble with them. As to the dawbing over their Nest with Mud, it may be ascribed to the vehement heat which predomi∣nates at that time of the Year; for hence it comes to pass, that they delight to be conversant in Mud, Water and Sand, without which all Birds would quickly sicken and be deprived, first of sight and then of Life; but the same Mud, which, because it refrigerates or cools, they carry to their Nest in their Bills and Feet; the same, I say, when it begins to grow hard and troublesom, they wipe off, and making a hole through in the place where they rest, they fly out to get that which is fresh and cool.

LIII. Those Birds are not led by prudence, which re∣move from one Region to another. As to those Birds, which upon the approach of Winter, remove from one Region to another. It is not to be ascribed to their Prudence or Providence, but to their Natural Inclination, by which they are easily impelled to remove from a colder to a warmer place, into which afterwards the same tem∣perament succeeding anew, they return again, pro∣vided the said Regions be not very far distant from each other, and not uneasie in access; otherwise I am apt to believe that the said Birds would betake themselves into certain hiding Holes like Dormice, Serpents and Insects, and there lie dormant all the Winter, which might be proved by many instances, but it will be sufficient to mention the Swallows, which in the congealed Lakes of Poland, lie all the Winter time unmoved, and as it were, dead; but the returning heat dissipating the Frost, and the Ice dissolving into Water, they rise out of their Lakes, and betake themselves anew to their flight. Which when that Possevinus, who went Embas∣sador into Russia, as Gassendus mentions, would not give credit to, a great flake of Ice was com∣manded to be brought into his Stove, in which a cluster of Swallows lay crouded together; which when the Ice began to melt by the heat of the place, were observed by degrees to move Feet, Wings, Head, and then the whole Body; lastly to fly out; but after some rounds of flight about the Stove, they fell down dead upon the ground, as having undergone too hasty and unwonted a change of Air. Much of the same nature is what hath been observed of other Birds, particularly in Germany, in Oaks and other hollow Trees, when cut down, Kites and Cuckows are found to have hid themselves there all the Winter. Something like to this may be also thought of the Storks, since it is yet undiscovered whence they come, and whi∣ther they betake themselves. Whence PLINY in his First Book, Chap. 23. No Man discerns when they depart, tho' it is apparent that they do go; nor knows when they come, tho' we find that they do come. Both doubtless, i. e. their coming and go∣ing is done in the Night time; and tho' they are commonly seen to fly to and fro, yet they are thought never to make their first approach but by Night. From which words it plainly appears, that the Storks come not from any far Region, nor go from us into any very remote parts, but so keep their way along the Ponds and Lakes, that neither their ingress nor egress can well be observ'd by us.

LIV. How some Animals seem to por∣tend future things. Lastly, As to Beasts seeming to foreknow some things, we need not for this ascribe to them any thing of Divination, or acknowledge any latent Rationality in them, for the making out of these presages; since they depend only upon those mu∣tations which happen in exteriour Objects; which when Animals have received into their Bodies, they are touch'd with certain affections, which dispose them to Crowing or shaking of their Wings. For there are always in the Air some forerunners of fair Weather, Tempests, Winds, &c. which when Animals foresee, it cannot be but that certain affe∣ctions must arise in those Organs which dispose to the forenamed Motions: For in the vivacity of their Senses Brutes excel Men; and as those who are de∣priv'd of sight, hear more quick than others; so it seems that Animals being void of Mind, and desti∣tute of all Perception, have this recompence, that they have their Senses more acute.

FINIS.