1 64 WILD NEIGHBORS CHAP. 



kin have minds developed in a wild state to any- 

 thing like the degree of those of many of the 

 smaller, fur-bearing animals, such as the ermine, 

 fox, or wolverine. They are endowed with so 

 much agility, strength, and endurance that they 

 rarely need exercise much thought in securing 

 their prey; while the caution and cleverness re- 

 quired of the weaker species, in order not only 

 to get food, but to escape from their enemies, 

 which sharpen their faculties daily, are uncalled 

 for in the case of these powerful felines, who 

 dread no enemies except man. 



Why they should feel this awe of man it is 

 difficult to explain. Neither his size nor his erect 

 position can account for it, and only in long-set- 

 tled or much-hunted regions can the power of his 

 firearms be learned. Captives may dread the 

 sting of his whip, yet they certainly must be 

 aware that they might disarm and crush him with 

 a blow. The explanation probably is that they 

 are unable to comprehend his habits to fathom 

 his mental attitude to learn what he is likely 

 to do next, and are awed by the mystery of his 

 conduct, as we might be by that of a supernatural 

 being of unknown power who came amongst us 

 and threatened our liberty and happiness. 



The minds of the great carnivora are therefore 

 little exercised in nature, and do not grow ; and, 

 accustomed to power and to seeing all the denizens 

 of the forest quail before them, they do not know 



