462 
DARWINISM 
CHAP. 
manifestations of intelligence, amounting in some cases to 
distinct acts of reasoning, in many animals, are adduced as 
exhibiting in a much less degree the intelligence and reason 
of man. Instances of curiosity, imitation, attention, wonder, 
and memory are given ; while examples are also adduced 
which may be interpreted as proving that animals exhibit 
kindness to their fellows, or manifest pride, contempt, and 
shame. Some are said to have the rudiments of language, 
because they utter several different sounds, each of which has 
a definite meaning to their fellows or to their young ; others 
the rudiments of arithmetic, because they seem to count and 
remember up to three, four, or even five. A sense of beauty 
is imputed to them on account of their own bright colours or 
the use of coloured objects in their nests ; while dogs, cats, 
and horses are said to have imagination, because they appear 
to be disturbed by dreams. Even some distant approach to 
the rudiments of religion is said to be found in the deep love 
and complete submission of a dog to his master. 1 
Turning from animals to man, it is shown that in the 
lowest savages many of these faculties are very little advanced 
from the condition in which they appear in the higher animals ; 
while others, although fairly well exhibited, are yet greatly 
inferior to the point of development they have reached in 
civilised races. In particular, the moral sense is said to have 
been developed from the social instincts of savages, and to 
depend mainly on the enduring discomfort produced by any 
action which excites the general disapproval of the tribe. 
Thus, every act of an individual tvhich is believed to be 
contrary to the interests of the tribe, excites its unvarying 
disapprobation and is held to be immoral; while every act, on 
the other hand, which is, as a rule, beneficial to the tribe, is 
warmly and constantly approved, and is thus considered to 
be right or moral. From the mental struggle, when an act 
that would benefit self is injurious to the tribe, there arises 
conscience; and thus the social instincts are the foundation of 
the moral sense and of the fundamental principles of morality. 2 
The question of the origin and nature of the moral sense 
and of conscience is far too vast and complex to be discussed 
1 For a full discussion of all these points, see Descent of Man, chap. iii. 
* Descent of Man, chap. iv. 
