Mind in Animals. 377 



Whoever has carefully watched and studied the inhabitants 

 of a farm-yard cannot fail to have observed that the cows 

 have their laws of precedence and etiquette as clearly defined 

 as those of any European Court. Every cow knows her 

 own place and keeps it. She will never condescend to take 

 a lower, nor would she be allowed to assume a higher. A 

 new-comer in a farm-yard has about as much chance of 

 approaching the rack at feeding-time as a new boy at school 

 has of getting near the fire on a cold winter day. But as 

 the young calf increases in growth, and is nearing maturity, 

 she is allowed to mingle with her companions on tolerably 

 equal terms. Should, however, a younger animal than her- 

 self be admitted, it is amusing to see with what gratification 

 she bullies the new-comer, and how much higher she ranks 

 in her own estimation when she finds she is no longer the 

 junior. 



But should the fates be propitious, and she should arrive 

 at the dignity of being senior cow, she never fails to assert 

 that dignity on every occasion. When the cattle are taken 

 out of the yard to their pasture in the morning, and when 

 they are returned to it in the evening, she will not allow any 

 except herself to take the lead. An instance is recorded 

 where the man in charge of a herd of cows would not permit 

 the " ganger," as the head cow is often called, to go out first. 

 The result was that she refused to go out at all. Therefore, 

 to get her to go out of the yard, the man had to drive all the 

 other cows back again, so that she might take her proper 

 place at the head of the herd. 



Few people know much about the real disposition of the 

 mule. Judging from popular ideas respecting the animal, 

 one would think that it had no pride in its composition. It 

 is in reality a very proud animal, and fond of good society. 

 One of his most striking characteristics is his aversion to the 

 ass, and the pride which he takes in his relation to the horse. 

 An ass would be hardly safe in a drove of mules, for he 

 would, in all probability, be kicked and lamed by his proud 



