THE PLAY OF ANIMALS. 247 



excitation? That is not likely with movements so 

 significant. Or shall we say with Fischer that the rea- 

 son monkeys enjoy being stroked or scratched on bare 

 spots is because such sensations are associated with the 

 friendly offices of comrades in removing thorns, etc., 

 and from this their modes of greeting have developed? 

 Is it not a thousand times more natural to suppose that 

 such instincts are primarily for the purpose of sexual 

 excitation, though they are sometimes connected with 

 other stimuli? I do not think that any one can seri- 

 ously doubt where the greater probability lies. 



These remarks also apply to dancing, evolutions in 

 flight, contortions of the body, erection of feathers, 

 making strange noises, as well as the calling and sing- 

 ing of amorous animals. In all these we see instinctive 

 acts performed for the purpose of arousing excitement, 

 usually in both sexes. As the ape exhibits such actions 

 most unmistakably, I have cited his case to avoid the 

 possibility of misconstruction, for none can deny their 

 connection with the sexual life, or attribute them to 

 any ordinary excitement. 



In order to arrive at a satisfactory position, however, 

 on this question, we must occupy middle ground be- 

 tween the contestants. We must admit that in most 

 cases the actual basis for the arts of courtship is to be 

 found in general excitement reflexes, or even in those 

 of quite a different origin. This basis consists partly 

 in such reflex motions as result from any strong excita- 

 tion, such as restless fluttering, running about, skipping, 

 and trembling, and further in the reflexes that are com- 

 monly awakened in the face of an enemy, such as in- 

 flation, erection of hair or feathers, lifting the voice, 

 etc. These are obviously the material from which Na- 

 ture has derived the peculiar arts of courtship in all 

 18 



