MAMMALIA 419 



traditional that they devour all the vegetation in their pathway, 

 and continue to travel overland and across streams until they reach 

 the sea where they perish. If it were not for their enemies, the 

 Arctic foxes, weasels, and lynxes, they would ruin the territory 

 through which they pass. 



Homing Instinct. — Many instances are cited indicating the 

 remarkable ability of the common house cat and the dog to find 

 their way home after having been transported by train or automo- 

 bile. Undoubtedly the roving habits of both these animals have 

 given them a rather wide knowledge of adjacent territory. It is 

 most difficult, however, to conceive of their finding landmarks a 

 hundred miles away. 



In the savage state, man evinces an uncanny ability in travelling 

 through forests and swamps, and emergencies have proved to many 

 a city dweller that he has a well-developed, although unused ability 

 in that line. Keen, though unanalyzed, powers of observation 

 prove to be the solution of many unexpected achievements in the 

 wilds. 



