568 MIGRA TION 



what means) of the situation of this point, and thus knows how to 

 steer its course. Not only is this hypothesis unsupported by any 

 considerations known to the writer, but it is not at all borne out 

 by the observed facts of Migration in North America, where Birds, 

 as has been shewn by Prof. Baird (qp. cit. p. 347), do not 

 migrate in the direction of the magnetic pole. 



Another and assuredly a more valuable hint was thrown out by 

 Dr. von MiddendorfF^ (Sibirische Beise, Band iv. Th. 2, pp. 1168, 

 1169), and it has been accepted by several who have become 

 acquainted with it, and are competent to express an opinion on the 

 subject. In principle it is identical with the idea that had long ago 

 suggested itself to the present writer when he fancied that the 

 " homing " faculty of Pigeons was akin to that by which 

 migratory Birds directed their voyages, and he believes that it has 

 been independently entertained by several others who have con- 

 sidered the subject ; but, so far as he knows, the merit of first 

 stating it clearly belongs to the eminent Russian naturalist just 

 named. 



That the sense of direction ruiconsciously exercised by human 

 beings varies greatly "vvith individuals is a matter of common 

 experience, and that it is possessed in a high degree of excellence 

 by certain races of men is notorious, for travellers without end 

 have noticed the fact, and no one can deny that this excellence is 

 attained by those races who have the greatest need to employ it in 

 their daily vocation — whether they be Samojeds (as in the case cited 

 by Dr. von Middendorff), American Indians, Bushmen or Aus- 



^ The passages containing it have been quoted by both Von Homeyer {op. cit. 

 p. 304) and Herr Gatke {op. cit. p. 137), and since they do not seem to have been 

 laid before English readers, a rendering may here be attempted : — 



" In Mammals the remarkable memory for places they enjoy may be of essential 

 use in finding their way correctly ; but it is not to be doubted that they must also 

 be conscious of general direction, for they know how to reach their goal, and that 

 by the shortest route, through places which are wholly strange to them. In the 

 course of my life I have met with the most decided examples of this sense of 

 direction in dogs and horses ; but never did experience of this kind strike me so 

 much as when on the boundless wastes {Tundren) of the high north I per- 

 ceived the same incomprehensible animal faculty, almost unweakened, among 

 rude uncivilized men. What Samojeds can do in this way often surpasses all 

 our comprehension. 



" Highly pleased with having found among these people my interpreter of the 

 natural mystery of animals finding their way, I tried to extract from them their 

 magic art, and pressed them as opportunity afforded. They, however, looked 

 at me confusedly, wondered at my wondering, and thought a thing of such 

 everyday occurrence to be self-evident, while our incapacity to direct ourselves 

 was to them quite unintelligible. At last they wholly disarmed me with the 

 question ' How, now, does the little Arctic Fox find its way aright on the great 

 Tundra and it never goes astray ? ' That was all ! I was thrown back on the 

 unconscious performance of an inherited animal faculty." 



