Chap. V. DOG- 123 



tail at the same time being closelv tucked in between 

 the legs. In this attitude they approach each other side- 

 ways, or even partly backwards. So again with de- 

 - veral of the species, when savage and fighting, tuck in 

 their tails. When one horse in a field tries to bite the 

 hind-quarters of another in play, or when a rough boy 

 strikes a donkey from behind, the hind-quarters and the 

 tail are drawn in, though it does not appear as if tins 

 were done merely to save the tail from being injured. 

 We have also seen the reverse of these movements; for 

 when an animal trots with high elastic steps, the tail is 

 almost always carried aloft. 



As I have said, when a dog is chased and runs away, 

 he keeps his ears directed backwards but still open; and 

 this is clearly done for the sake of hearing the footsteps 

 of his pursuer. From habit the ears are often held in 

 this same position, and the tail tucked in, when the dan- 

 ger is obviously in front. I have repeatedly noticed, with 

 a timid terrier of mine, that when she is afraid of some 

 object in front, the nature of which she perfectly knows 

 and does not need to reconnoitre, vet she will for a lon£ 

 time hold her ears and tail in this position, looking the 

 image of discomfort. Discomfort, without any fear, is 

 similarly expressed: thus, one day I went out of doors, 

 just at the time when this same dog knew that her dinner 

 would be brought. I did not call her, but she wished 

 much to accompany me, and at the same rime she wished 

 much for her dinner: and there she stood, first looking 

 one way and then the other, with her tail tucked in and 

 ears drawn back, presenting an unmistakable appear- 

 ance of perplexed discomfort. 



Almost all the expressive movements now described, 

 with the exception of the grinning from joy. are innate 

 or instinctive, for thev are common to all the individ- 

 uals, voung and old, of all the breeds. Most of them 



