THE ANTIPODES AND PERKECI. 489 



ness, not to say stupidity, of some birds, cannot be reconciled with the 

 theory of infallible instinct. 



To conclude, then, the nidification of birds exhibits phenomena 

 which, if compared with the constructive processes of primitive man, 

 show no essential difference in the nature of the faculties employed. 

 We have here no innate ideas, or blind and irresistible tendencies. 

 The bird learns how to build its nest, and each species has its own tra- 

 dition, which can be modified according to external circumstances. 

 As regards the origin of these constructive processes, it can be readily 

 understood without supposing a special instinct, if we show that, at 

 bottom, these processes are simpler than at first sight would appear. 

 For we must not exaggerate the grade of intelligence needed by a bird 

 in order to build a nest which to us appears simply marvellous, because 

 it is so small. But' this nest was first roughed out twig on twig, 

 fibre on fibre ; next, the little architect stopped up the gaps with ma- 

 terial easily brought in with its supple claws and its slender beak. 

 We are charmed at the sight of this ; but the rude mud wall of a 

 peasant's hovel would, in the eyes of a giant, also appear to be fine 

 handiwork. It all depends on perspective. Levaillant has observed 

 the habits of an African bird which goes to work in a still more sum- 

 mary way. This bird gets together a heap of moss and cotton, con- 

 verts it, by stamping, into a sort of felt, then hollows it out in the 

 middle, and trims off the edge. Thus the inside of the nest becomes 

 as smooth and compact as a piece of cloth. Why not admit that 

 this process is the work of an inventor, whose invention benefits his 

 posterity, they in turn improving it, and handing it down to succeed- 

 ing generations, just as we say in the case of human discoveries, of 

 which we are so vain ? In studying the rise of architecture, we meet 

 with many a type which attracts the eye, but which answers but im- 

 perfectly the needs for which it was produced, and which shows less 

 rational foresight than do the nests constructed by sundry birds. 



+ 



THE ANTIPODES AND PERKECI. 



By HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH, E 8 q. 



ABOUT few geographical positions are there more mistakes made 

 by intelligent people than the situation of the antipodes and 

 the perioeci. It has been commonly taught in the schools, at least in 

 New England, that the antipodes of the Eastern States, or of dwellers 

 near parallel 40, are in China, and that the antipodes of Boston are in 

 Peking. Of course, this error is not made by the best instructors, but 

 it is often made, and that without correction, in the presence of the 

 " honorable committee." Editors, too, are often as much at fault as 



