220 ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE 



nature of mongrels, as compared with pure-bred 

 dogs. 



The characteristic physical features of the adult 

 certainly appear in mongrels sooner than in all the 

 larger breeds of dogs; in other words, they mature 

 sooner than these breeds, both physically and psychically, 

 though not in all cases more rapidly than the smaller 

 breeds of terriers. While all pure-bred dogs must 

 have a definite rate of development, according to the 

 breed, it must be plain that mongrels will vary much 

 more individually according to the nature of the 

 ancestors which have contributed to their highly com- 

 posite origin in many instances. In the very nature of 

 the case, the pure-bred dog is an inbred animal, while 

 the mongrel is generally the very reverse. He, in fact, 

 approaches far more closely to the wild Canidce in this 

 respect. 



From this it would be expected that the physical 

 changes would be of a kind that would appeal to the 

 eye much less would be, in fact, less readily referred 

 to any type or pattern ; and in no small degree is this 

 true of his psychic characteristics, though these things 

 are much more readily observed than made clear by 

 any records.* 



* I append Mr T. Mann Jones' remarks, which grew out of a dis- 

 cussion of the question of latent or undeveloped power in both human 

 beings and animals, though they will suggest much beyond that, 

 while they constitute one of the most interesting animal histories 

 with which the author is acquainted: "This latent power is 

 apparently called forth in some dogs to a great extent by slight 

 stimulation. My grandfather selected pups of different breeds, among 

 others Newfoundlands, mastiffs, and bloodhounds, as he distrusted 

 the ordinary view of 'instinct' as the cause why certain breeds 

 would attend to sheep, or were sheep-dogs, and he found in each race 

 individuals who made as intelligent sheep-dogs as those who ' were to 

 the manner born.' When I had my opportunity I made observations, 

 and I sought information from farmers and shepherds. They say : 

 ' Any dog of any breed which is powerful enough bodily, makes a 

 good sheep-dog if he will try to be one.' 'Special instinct' appears 

 here to be an unnecessary cause. To exemplify by an individual. In 



