568 MIGRATION 
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 (op. 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 Reise, 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 unconsciously exercised by human 
beings varies greatly with 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- 
1 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 (Zundren) 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.” 
