White. — On Inherited Instincts in Animals. 275 



In the old days, when the whole country was unfenced, 

 except in the vicinity of a town, horses frequently showed 

 great homing instinct, and, when ridden long distances round 

 about, would sometimes escape homeward in the night-time, 

 always going in a direct line — I refer to the extensive Can- 

 terbury Plain, where the only obstacles were the swift-running 

 rivers. 



I remember starting from Christchurch in 1856, driving 

 a two-horse dray (heavily laden), crossing the Waimakariri 

 Eiver, and making for the Oxford district. In the evening, 

 when actually within sight of my destination, a thick mist 

 came on, and I was only able to see ahead the length of my 

 team. After proceeding some distance I became doubtful as 

 to my position, the more so on account of my passing many 

 toi-toi bushes — a tall grass (Arundo conspicua) resembling the 

 pampas grass. Feeling convinced that something was wrong, 

 on my next arriving ac a toi-toi I broke down several of its 

 tall seed-heads and drove on, and coming once more to a 

 toi-toi bush and examining it in the dim light of departing 

 day I again beheld the broken seed -stalks. On starting 

 again the same thing took place. Finding from this that 

 I was moving in a circle, I gave a "coo-ee," and to my 

 delight received an immediate answer, and at once started 

 towards the sound, but I had not gone far before the call was 

 repeated immediately behind me. This same thing occurred 

 several times, and I determined to remain stationary, replying 

 occasionally. Presently up came my elder brother (wlaom 

 two days before I had left in Christchurch) on horseback. 

 He said, " Where is the house, and what are you doing here?" 

 when a call was heard, and my younger brother joined us, he 

 having left the house to come to the rescue. My younger 

 brother persisted that we were on the wrong side of the river- 

 course (then a dry bed of shingle), but this I denied, as it was 

 impossible to drive a dray over shingle without being aware of 

 the fact. It was ultimately decided to take off the leading 

 cart-mare, whose foal was following, and presumably occupy- 

 ing her attention, and trust to the shafter drawing the load 

 in a homeward direction, although the darkness of night was 

 now added to the confusing mist. This proved a success, and 

 we soon arrived at home. 



One day when herding sheep a dense snowstorm came on, 

 and I left the flock and made for home, but soon found sheep 

 in front of me, which proved to be those I had left. The 

 same thing resulted several times, when, taking a wider bend, 

 I came to a mob of horses, and decided to follow and drive 

 them till they took me home. This plan succeeded admirably. 



I have known horses to be snowed up in a mountain valley 

 to a depth of 2ft., with over 7 ft. in the drifts, and the river 



