FEIGNING DEATH. 315 



If tlie facts are here correctly recorded (and in all the 

 points U23on which I am about to dwell they agree closely 

 with some of the cases given by Couch), one would scarcely 

 suppose that the mere approach of a man in opening the 

 door of the hen-house could liave caused either the kind or 

 degree of alarm which is known to produce kataplexy ; while 

 it is somewhat doubtful whether the stimulus occasioned by 

 dropping the fox upon the grass would have been sufficient 

 suddenly to dispel the kataplectic state. Therefore, in such a 

 case as this it seems to me that the probability rather inclines 

 to the shamming dead having been due to an intelligent pur- 

 pose, even although we may not suppose the animal to have 

 had any idea either of death as such, or of its conscious 

 simulation. Thus the case with respect to the higher animals 

 — if we have due regard to all the evidence which has now 

 been presented — seems to me one of no small difficulty. The 

 trutli simply is that there is a lack of sufficient observation, 

 by experimental means, to determine w^hether wolves, and 

 more es]3ecially foxes, simulate death — i.e., remain motion- 

 less in certain circumstances of danger with the conscious 

 purpose of furthering their escape ; or, perhaps almost as 

 probably, whether the motionless condition of these animals 

 under such circumstances is due to the occurrence of the 

 hypnotic state. With regard to these animals, therefore, as 

 with regard to the Brahmin-bull, I have thought it best not 

 to express a definite opinion either way ; but rather to pre- 

 sent all the evidence on both sides with the view of stimu- 

 lating experimental enquiry of the kind that I have sug- 

 gested by any one who may have the opportunity of con- 

 ducting it.* Such an enquiry having been conducted by 

 Mr. Darwin in the case of insects and spiders has closed the 

 question as far as they are concerned, by leaving no room to 

 suppose that their behaviour is due to conscious purpose. 

 The evidence with regard to the higher Mammalia, on the 

 other hand, points to a different conclusion, for the full 

 establishment of which further and corroborative evidence is 

 doubtless necessary. 



Be it observed, however, that in these cases the difficulty 



* If Mr. C. C, White, after having read the above and so having under- 

 stood the nature of the question, had laid down his fox ujion the grass with 

 extreme gentleness, and immediately concealed himself, he might greatly haye 

 furthered the solution of the question. 



