Section 72. ON INSTINCT[1].
Reading edition
Section 72. ON INSTINCT[1].
The[2] following most curious instance of a change of instinct is mentioned by Darwin. The bees carried[3] over to[4] Barbadoes and the Western Isles ceased[5] to lay up any honey after the first year, as[6] they found it not useful to them. They found the weather so fine, and the materials[7] for making honey so plentiful, that they quitted[8] their grave, prudent[9], and mercantile[10] character, became exceedingly profligate and debauched[11], ate[12] up their capital, resolved to work no more, and[13] amused themselves by flying about the sugar-houses and stinging the blacks. The[14] fact is, that[15], by[16] putting animals in different situations[17], you may[18] change, and even reverse, any of their original propensities. Spallanzani[19] brought[20] up an eagle upon[21] bread and milk, and fed a dove on[22] raw beef.—Rev. S. Smith.