PIGS FASCINATED BY FIRE 111 



and physical, are transmissible, but that helps us little 

 the abnormal individual has the whole normal race 

 against him. Thus, in reference to the cat story in 

 Herodotus, here in a Hampshire village, a mile or two 

 from where I am writing this chapter, a cottage took 

 fire one evening, and when the villagers were gathered 

 on the spot watching the progress of the fire, some 

 pigs a sow with her young ones appeared on the 

 scene and dashed into the flames. The people rushed 

 to the rescue, and with some difficulty pulled the pigs 

 out ; and finally hurdles had to be brought and placed 

 in the way of the sow to prevent her getting back, so 

 anxious was she to treat the villagers to roast pig. 



This is a case of the hypnotic effect of fire on 

 animals, and perhaps many similar cases would be 

 found if looked for. We know that most animals 

 are strangely attracted by fire at night, but they fear 

 it too, and keep at a proper distance. It draws and 

 disturbs but does not upset their mental balance. But 

 how it came about that a whole race of cats in ancient 

 Egypt were thrown off their balance and were always 

 ready to rush into destruction like the Hampshire pigs, 

 is a mystery. 



To return to fascination. Let us (to personify) re- 

 member that Nature in her endeavours to safeguard 

 all and every one of her creatures has given them the 

 passion of fear in various degrees, according to their 

 several needs, and in the greatest degree to her perse- 

 cuted weaklings ; and that this emotion, to be efficient, 



