502 Short Communications : — 



but interdicted banquet. Was this the result of forethought, 

 combining of circumstances, or, in short, reason ? Could it 

 be instinct ? — Campanella, Berhsliire, \_Received, Jan, 9. 

 1834.] 



Upon this subject, see IV. 498.; V. 276. ; VII. 481. ; acts 

 of birds, 518.; acts of the hare, 506. I had once a fine 

 young cat, which I had brought up in an uninhabited house, 

 in a garden, whither I, in most mornings, carried from my 

 own place of residence, milk for " Mas " (the name I had 

 given to my cat). A bell was so hung over the door of the 

 private entrance to the garden as to be struck, and made to 

 sound pretty loudly, every time the door was opened. Mas 

 would sometimes be along with my fellow-workmen in the 

 garden at a good distance from the door ; but, on the bell's 

 sounding at the usual time of Mas's receiving his breakfast, 

 he would quit my fellow-workmen instantly, and gallop like 

 a greyhound towards the door. — J. D, 



A Communication of Ideas in Animals of different Genera, 

 — Last spring an old mare (she has, I believe, completed her 

 twentieth year, and has lost an eye), being relieved, in con- 

 sideration of age and infirmity, from heavy labour, was turned 

 out, in company with a cow and four or five heifers, into a 

 small field at a distance from their former companions. The 

 grass in this enclosure was not very plentiful, and the adjoin- 

 ing pasture being adorned ivith luxuriant vegetation, and 

 divided by an indifferent fences they frequently took the 

 liberty of trespassing upon the neighbouring property. This, 

 indeed, occurred so often, that a watch was obliged to be set 

 upon their actions; and one day a singular instance of ani- 

 mal instinct was observed. The mare, doubtless tired of 

 staying so long at home, made the circuit of the field, with a 

 view to escape from her confinement; and, having discovered 

 a place suited for her exit, she returned to her horned com- 

 panions, who were ruminating at a little distance, and, having 

 approached the cow, she gently struck her on the shoulder, 

 first with her hoof, and then with her head. The cow being 

 roused from her revery, the loving friends advanced toge- 

 ther to the gap, and, having jointly reconnoitred it, returned 

 to the rest, and then, the old mare leading the way, the 

 whole company leaped over in succession after her. — 

 W» G. Barker. East Wilton, near Middleham, Bedale, York' 

 shire, Sept. 14. 1834. 



A cat and dog of my father's, brought up together from 

 their infancy, would, when they had grown up, amuse them- 

 selves for an hour together in chasing, in company, wild 

 rabbits, which were successively straying into the garden. 



