48 CLASSIFICATION OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



being brought in contact with a master-spirit, although this belongs rather 

 to moral influence than sympathy. 



Dogs, again, are extraordinary creatures to discover the humour you 

 happen to be in; I have observed their manners much, having always 

 kept several; and I remember well on one occasion, a very intelligent 

 Terrier, who was quite a parlour pet, displaying the appreciation of the 

 feelings of those around her in a singular manner. My father arrived from 

 London late in the evening, cold and wet, and not very comfortable; he 

 came into the parlour and sat down by the fire, when Mrs. Nelly would 

 usually spring upon his lap, but now she lay silent, and not offering her 

 usual welcome, but eyeing him attentively; at length, being thawed and 

 settled, he became more at ease, and madame ventured to get up and 

 gently lick his hand, which was placed upon his knee, and this of course 

 produced some such expression as "Why, my little Nell, are you there?" 

 etc., and she took her accustomed place on his knee, and they were both 

 shortly very comfortable. Dogs are thought to be the only animals that 

 understand looks, but I should rather think that this proposition should 

 be varied by saying, they are the only animals who shew that they under- 

 stand looks; for I am persuaded that Cats are quite as intelligent, but not 

 so malleable or docile. 



All animals almost, and particularly wild beasts, are perfectly capable 

 of recognising and appreciating determination in the eye, as we have 

 witnessed notable instances of in Mr. Van Amburgh, and those who pre- 

 ceded and followed him; and even the Tiger in the jungle will not 

 willingly face a man. It has been asserted that by looking intently at a 

 Hare, in a form, you may pick her up; and I have assuredly caught them 

 sitting; but this was when dogs were coursing about, and 1 pounced upon 

 her suddenly. Indeed I once remember laying hold of a fine Rabbit in 

 his seat, and turning him out of it with my hands, when he would not 

 run, although in perfect health, and unhurt; and I could only account for 

 this by the supposition that as we had many dogs with us, and formed a 

 party of ourselves, he was completely paralyzed by fear. 



ON THE 



CLASSIFICATION OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM BY THE 



DISTRIBUTION OF THE NERVES. 



BY F. M. BURTON, ESQ. 



No. I. 



There is, perhaps, no work that has so much conduced to the spread 

 of sound scientific knowledge among all classes, as that of the "General 



