INTRODUCTION 



man. Their structure, their characteristics, 

 their peculiarities, give rise to very remarkable 

 comparisons. Numberless are the traditions, 

 the anecdotes, and the facts which show to what 

 extraordinary development the intelligence or 

 instinct of these animals can attain, whether 

 spontaneously, or by exercise or experience. 



How is it possible not to 

 wonder on seeing a hunting 

 dog stop short in the open 

 country, motionless as a 

 statue, seeing nothing around 

 him for yards till the par- 

 tridges take wing, giving proof 

 of thejiairoi the animal ! 



Horses and some other 

 species of domestic animals 

 have also given almost incred- 

 ible proofs of intelligence, 

 attachment, courage, and cau- 

 tion, which can only increase 

 the regard they inspire in us. 



All this, no doubt, increases 

 the desire to know more of the 

 life of animals, and this desire 

 we shall try to satisfy in the 

 course of this work. 



We have given our atten- 

 tion, in certain places, to the 

 manner in which sick or 

 wounded animals should be 

 cared for. In ci\'ilized society. 



a society of progress, all negligence 

 of the comfort and well-being of ani- 

 mals is a step backward in the path 

 of civilization. In such a society, 

 surely, we ought to find asylums for 

 animals, and the art of animal heal- 

 ing should obtain universal sympathy. 

 Nor should we fail to speak of the 

 protection due to animals from the 

 point of view of humanity as well as 

 of usefulness. It is proper here to 

 insist once again upon the fact that 

 ever)' one can contribute in a vast 

 degree — if he will — to diminish the 

 unnecessary sufferings endured daily 

 by cats, dogs, and horses; for instance, 

 many children, whose education has been sadly 

 neglected, make martyrs of cats and dogs. 



If, therefore, this work can attain its object, 

 it will not only afford a few hours' amusement 

 to the reader, but it will benefit more than one of 

 those intelligent creatures who, during our own 

 lives, have lived with us as faithful companions. 



