PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



It appears to be the duty of this ruler, to exercise do- 

 minion over the individuals of his tribe, to be first at the post 

 of danger, and to regulate the places for the safety of all. 

 Accordingly, in the exercise of his office, a bull, a ram, 

 or a stallion, may easily be detected in a flock, by superior 

 boldness and freedom of action, - by keeping on the outside 

 of the group, and being foremost to hazard the chances of 

 a battle. The herds of wild elephants are likewise govern- 

 ed by a leader ; and when these are enclosed in a snare, he 

 is the first that enters the palisades, the first to become 

 captive. When, instead of fighting, the duty of the leader 

 is to retreat, we always observe him first in motion. Thus, 

 in approaching a flock of seals on a sandbank, it is the 

 largest which we observe moving first towards the water ; 

 and in springing a covey of partridges, the sire is usually 

 first on the wing. 



b. Mutual Support. It is obvious, that without obedi- 

 ence to the ruler, the tribe would lose the benefit of his 

 protection ; so, without a union of strength or stratagem in 

 the hour of danger, the foe would be able to make more 

 extensive havoc. If a dog enter a park among cattle, a 

 general movement of the herd towards him, indicates the 

 sense of common danger. When a wolf approaches the 

 flock, they form a hollow-square, and placing the young 

 ones in the centre, are in this manner prepared for the at- 

 tack. In such a situation, the bull as the ruler, usually 

 steps forward and chases the foe to a distance. Perhaps, 

 however, the most complicated part of this system of mu- 

 tual defence, consists in the appointment of sentinels to 

 give warning of danger ; and, in the mean time, to permit 

 the herd to eat or rest in safety. The monkeys, when en- 

 gaged in their predatory excursions, always have one of 

 their number at a suitable place, to give warning of danger, 

 if necessary. In looking at a flock of geese feeding in a 



