312 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1940 



with some need through which the species has passed. It may be 

 that the reaction is no longer of great importance, because conditions 

 have changed since it was developed. But it is safe to assume that 

 at one time it served a very definite purpose. 



It is not necessary for the purposes of this paper that we try to 

 decide which of the reactions are prompted by instinct and which 

 are the result of intelligence and thought on the part of the individual. 



But in observing great numbers of animals in conditions entirely 

 new to them, one cannot help reaching the conclusion that animals 

 must do considerable thinking. Indeed, it has been my observation 

 that the more one knows of animals the more he is likely to give them 

 credit for powers of thought. 



Of the great number of questions asked me regarding animals, only 

 two do I find irritating. These are "What is it good for, or is it 

 good to eat?" and "Is it mean?" While we frequently cannot point 

 out acts or behavior of animals that are definitely beneficial to us, we 

 are constantly finding as we learn more about animals that every one 

 of them must have its definite function in the economy of nature. 

 While forms of life may be harmful to some of man's activities, it is 

 doubtful if the welfare of the world in general would be much 

 advanced by the total extermination of any creature. 



In general, the sole interest of animals is to make their living and 

 avoid conflict. Almost invariably, if they have the opportunity, they 

 will avoid encounters with man. 



