¥875]. Animal Depravity. 423 
put a modest pinch in his own mouth and call in the goat, 
who soon disposed of the remainder. It is not on record 
that Billy suffered in his health or displayed any marks of 
penitence after these performances. 
Turn we next to dishonesty in the widest sense of the 
word,—the vice most in favour in this virtuous age. The 
lower animals labour under the disadvantage of having no 
stock-exchange and of not using bills of exchange. But 
they indulge to the best of their means and opportunities in 
deceit, affectation, and hypocrisy. 
The Rev. J. G. Wood, in his recent interesting work 
**Man and Beast,” gives an instance of a terrier who, find- 
ing that a companion had anticipated him in getting posses- 
sion of a snug seat, suddenly pricked up his ears, dashed 
into a corner of the room, and begun scratching and barking 
furiously. The other dog, believing that this commotion 
indicated the presence of a rat, hastened to the spot, when 
the terrier at once ran back and secured the coveted cushion. 
Mr. Wood—we quote from memory—very justly brings for- 
ward this incident as a proof of intelligence in dogs. But 
it is equally a proof of dishonesty. It is a clear case of 
obtaining something desirable on false pretences. 
Hypocrisy is almost as prominent among the Felide as 
among men. If a delicate morsel is thrown to a cat, she 
will, except very hungry, assume an air of utter unconcern. 
But all the while she knows its position to a hair’s breadth, 
and when no one appears to be looking, it will be at once 
seized and swallowed. Or if a bowl of cream is standing 
in an accessible position, pussy appears lost in the brownest 
of studies. Her eyes are closed, or if open are directed any- 
where save towards the tempting object; yet all the time 
she is watching her opportunity. Whether in cats or in 
man this failing is invariably the “‘ homage which vice pays 
to virtue” we leave an open question. 
The following instance of deceit and hypocrisy in a terrier 
is given by Mr. G. J. Romanes in “ Nature” (May 27th, 1875, 
. 66). 
‘ae He used to be very fond of catching flies upon the win- 
dow panes, and if ridiculed when unsuccessful was very 
much annoyed. On one occasion, in order to see what he 
would do, I purposely laughed immoderately every time he 
failed. It so happened that he did so several times in suc- 
cession—partly, I believe, in consequence of my laughing— 
and eventually he became so distressed that he positively 
pretended to catch the fly, going through all the appropriate 
actions with his lips and tongue, and afterwards rubbing 
VOL. VI. (N.S.) 3H 
