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of Argyll’s graphic description of the conduct of a nest
ling of the water-ouzel, which had never been in the water
until it stumbled into a pool which lay in its way, as it was
trying to escape being caught.
“ The effect was most curious. When the young bird touched the
water, there was a moment ,of pause, as if the creature were surprised.
Then instantly—down it dived with all the facility of its parents ;
and the action of its wings under the water was a beautiful exhi
bition of the double adaptation to progression in two very different
elements which is peculiar to the wings of most of the diving birds.
The young dipper was immediately lost to sight among some weeds,
and so long did it remain under water that I feared it must be
drowned ; but in due time it appeared all right.”—(Contemporary
Review, vol. xxxviii., ft. 700.)
This act of diving will enable us to realise some of those
features which belong to all the first actions prompted by
a perfect instinct. In the first place, there was the pool,
which afforded an external sphere, fitted for this particular
kind of activity. In the second place, there was an elabo
rately constructed organism, capable of making the neces
sary movements of a very complicated nature. In the
third place, there was a nervous sensibility, which res
ponded to the external stimulus of the water, and prompted
to the appropriate movements necessary to accomplish
the act. On this account, Paley places instincts next to
relations.
“Instincts are a species of relation. They contribute, along with
the animal organisation, to a joint effort, in which view they are
related to that organisation.”—(.Natural Theology, chapter xviii.)
This wonderful capacity was inherited ; the act “being
performed under circumstances which had been frequently
experienced during the life-history of the species.” It was
an innate gift ; born in the very organism of the little
creature. It was not the result of personal observation.
The little fledgling had never seen other birds dive. It
