Note 1 — Chapter VIII · RESEARCHES INTO THE ORIGIN OF MIXED OR COMPOUND ANT-HILLS.

There are few terms of more extensive signification than that of instinct. In its ordinary acceptation, it implies that principle which determines the conduct of animals in their several operations. Admitting, however, all their ordinary operations to be regulated by such a power, what have we to say touching those instances (and many such are on record) where, from existing circumstances, the habits of the animals have undergone a complete change, and recourse has been had to certain means to attain certain ends. Man fondly arrogates to himself an active principle pervading his nature, denominated mind: that he should feel justly proud of this distinction, of that intellectual superiority which places him so high in the scale of animal existence, excites little surprise; but let him have the candour to imagine, that he, perhaps, is not the only being thus gifted; let him but allow a small portion of the same influence upon the lower order of beings, and we shall then have a rational theory to account for those occasional deviations from their natural habits that are inexplicable on the ground of instinct alone.—T.