188 Chapter IV. 



even of man is an entirely instinctive impulse devoid 

 of intelligent reflection, is so evident to logical minds 

 and so plainly expressed in the facts, that further 

 proof seems superfluous. Since with apes the two 

 sexes differ far less in psychic endowments than with 

 ants, it can hardly be surprising, that not only the 

 females but also the males have an instinctive nursing 

 inclination, and try to gratify it by nursing any young 

 animal. But how do they do it, especially if the young 

 ones belong to another species? Alfred Brehm says, 1 

 "Here the ape often appears to be an inexplicable 

 puzzle. He nurses his adopted favorite to the full 

 extent of his power, hugs him, cleans him, continually 

 keeps an eye on him, but generally does not supply 

 him with any food. Without pangs of conscience 

 (sic), he keeps for himself the food destined for his 

 nursling, and even carefully keeps him away from the 

 pot, whilst he himself is eating. This I have observed 

 with baboons, who had picked up young dogs or cats 

 as their foster-children." 



Is this really an "inexplicable puzzle" t Only for 

 those who are unwilling to understand the correct 

 solution, because they are blinded by their monomania 

 on animal intelligence. The solution of the puzzle is 

 as clear as day-light. The instincts both of nursing 

 and of eating are purely sensitive inclinations, unat- 

 tended by reason and reflection. The faculties of 

 sensitive cognition and appetite are so appropriately 

 disposed in animals, that with regard to their own 

 offspring the nursing instinct is stronger than hunger, 

 but only so long as the young of that species, under 



i) Ibidem, p. 51. 



