226 ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE 



In both dog and cat the cortical centre of the brain 

 for the fore-limb is readily excited by artificial stimu- 

 lation ; but this crude method and general result do 

 not bring out the differences that the animal can by 

 its own will accomplish, and serves, when taken with 

 the facts of the animal's actual life, only to show how 

 very imperfect are our physiological imitations of will- 

 power in these animals. 



None of our domestic animals has such power over 

 the fore-limbs as the cat, and this is well established 

 when the animal is even two months old. The develop- 

 ment, as my diary shows, is very rapid when once it 

 begins. 



And this is closely related to the play of the kitten. 



Play is especially instructive. The young animal 

 has an excess of vital energy. Very soon this begins 

 to express itself in imitative actions. I hope my 

 diaries will furnish scope for comparison of the puppy 

 and the kitten as regards play. Herein the animals 

 differ widely, and reflect to perfection their psychic 

 moods. 



The crouching, lying-in-wait, the concealment, of 

 which I have made several records for the kitten, are 

 only late and comparatively feebly developed in the 

 dog all of which is, of course, related to the manner 

 in which the mature animal secures its prey in the 

 wild state. 



The Canidce hunt either alone or in packs, and rely 

 on swiftness and concerted action. 



The Felidce lie in wait, mostly alone or in pairs, and 

 spring on their prey, so the kitten, when quite young, 

 does not wait for a mouse to appear, but gives its 

 instinct free scope in its attacks on flies, and if these 

 be not forthcoming, it will, out of something, construct 

 imaginary prey for its gratification. 



Again, the cat is very slow to develop, as my diary 



