Alfred Russel Wallace : Alfred Wallace : A. R. Wallace :
Russel Wallace : Alfred Russell Wallace (sic)
Discussion on Instinct (S94: 1864)
Editor Charles H. Smith's Note: Third party rendering of words Wallace offered in discussion of
'On the Place of the Sciences of Mind and Language in the Science of Man,' a paper by Luke
Owen Pike read at the Anthropological Society of London meeting of 15 March 1864, and
printed on p. ccviii of Volume Two of the Society's Journal series. To link directly to this page,
connect with: http://people.wku.edu/charles.smith/wallace/S094.htm
Mr. Wallace observed, in reference to the distinction drawn by Mr. Reddie between reason
and instinct, that what is called instinct is generally the result of experience which forms a habit
that is in time called instinctive. Alluding to the illustration of sagacity in a parrot in detecting a
bad nut, he said that he knew a still better instance of apparent intelligence in a parroquet which
he had. The bird was very fond of sugar, but could only take it when moistened, and when a dry
lump of sugar was given to it, the bird dipped the sugar into water before attempting to eat it.
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