1x6 The Study of Animal Life part i 



There is much to be said about the domestic life of 

 animals — their courtship, their helpful partnership, and their 

 parentage — but perhaps I have said enough to induce you 

 to think about these things more carefully. Many of the 

 deepest problems of biology — the origin and evolution of 

 sex, the relation of reproduction to the individual and to the 

 species — should be considered by those who feel themselves 

 naturally inclined to such inquiries ; moreover, in connection 

 with our own lives, it is profitable to investigate among 

 animals the different grades of the love of mates, and the 

 relation between the rate of reproduction and the degree of 

 development. First, however, it were better that we should 

 watch the ways of animals and seek after some sympathy 

 with them, that we may respect their love, and salute them 

 not with stone or bullet, but with the praise of gladdened 

 eyes. 



Ruskin's translation of what Socrates said in regard to 

 the halcyon is suggestive of the mood in which we should 

 consider these things. 



Chcerophon. "And is that indeed the halcyon's cry? I never 

 heard it yet ; and in truth it is very pitiful. How large is the 

 bird, Socrates?" 



Socrates. " Not great ; but it has received great honour from the 

 gods, because of its lovingness ; for while it is making its nest, all 

 the world has the happy days which we call halcyonidas, excelling 

 all others in their calmness, though in the midst of storm." 



" We being altogether mortal and mean, and neither able to see 

 clearly great things nor small, and for the most part being unable to 

 help ourselves even in our own calamities, what can we have to say 

 about the powers of the immortals, either over halcyons or night- 

 ingales? But the fame of fable, such as our fathers gave it to us, 

 this to my children, O thou bird singing of sorrow, I will deliver 

 concerning thy hymns ; and I myself will sing often of this religious 

 and human love of thine, and of the honour thou hast for it from 

 the gods." 



Chcerophon. "It is rightly due indeed, O Socrates, for there is 

 a twofold comfort in this, both for men and women, in their rela- 

 tions with each other." 



Socrates. " Shall we not then salute the halcyon, and so go back 

 to the city by the sands, for it is time ? " 



