This Assumption Is However An
Arbitrary One, And Has The Bad Effect Of Stifling Inquiry Into
The Nature And Causes Of "Instincts And Habits," Treating Them As
Directly Due To A "First Cause," And Therefore, Incomprehensible
To Us.
I believe that a careful consideration of the structure of
a species, and of the peculiar physical and organic conditions by
which it is surrounded, or has been surrounded in past ages, will
often, as in this case, throw much light on the origin of its
habits and instincts.
These again, combined with changes in
external conditions, react upon structure, and by means of
"variation" and "natural selection", both are kept in harmony.
My friends remained three days, and got plenty of wild pigs and
two Anoas, but the latter were much injured by the dogs, and I
could only preserve the heads. A grand hunt which we attempted on
the third day failed, owing to bad management in driving in the
game, and we waited for five hours perched on platforms in trees
without getting a shot, although we had been assured that pigs,
Babirusas, and Anóas would rush past us in dozens. I myself, with
two men, stayed three days longer to get more specimens of the
Maleos, and succeeded in preserving twenty-six very fine ones -
the flesh and eggs of which supplied us with abundance of good
food.
The Major sent a boat, as he had promised, to take home my
baggage, while I walked through the forest with my two boys and a
guide, about fourteen miles.
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