212 EVOLUTION AND MAN S PLACE IN NATURE 



an example as that now given, the evidence of the 

 power of interpreting signs seems conclusive. Under 

 neath the temper, petulance, and jealousy, throwing 

 many obstacles in the way, there is a measure of intelli 

 gent discrimination, surpassing the familiar functions 

 of the nerve-system providing for sensibility, and 

 for co-ordination with muscular power. That intelli 

 gence is to be attributed to the higher mammals, is 

 a conclusion sustained on ample evidence. How 

 wide this classification of animals should be, may 

 involve serious perplexity for a considerable time to 

 come. The difficulties encountered in the attempts 

 to train animals much lower in the scale, are such as 

 to cast doubt over their claim to intelligence. If 

 however we limit intelligence to simple understand 

 ing of sensible signs, and refer to the results of 

 training as our ultimate test, it seems plain that 

 there is a degree of truth in the position of Darwin 

 that there is no fundamental difference between man 

 and the higher mammals in their mental faculties. 

 This much seems certain, that there is a common 

 basis of intelligence by means of which man can com 

 municate with the higher mammals. This makes it 

 possible for him to have some measure of companion 

 ship with these animals, and to train them to under 

 stand and to execute his designs. 



Any claim for community of intellectual life, in a 

 higher sense, seems discredited by the evidence. 

 Whenever we pass beyond the interpretation of signs, 

 to look for independent action of a rational power, 

 the search becomes fruitless. Only negative results 

 can be reported. The outstanding characteristics of 

 the rational life will appear more definitely when we 



