A Singular Instance of Canine Sagacity. 229 



along the double line of fencing. Nor was this all; a still 

 greater degree of sagacity on the dog's part remaining 

 to be recorded a very subtleness of reasoning, for to 

 call it instinct were to palter with words. When there 

 was a hole or " glat " in the fence, doubtfully big enough 

 to give passage to the body of a sheep, I saw the dog 

 stand regarding it, evidently pondering on the possi- 

 bilities of the sheep getting through, and at length, 

 satisfied they could not, trot on to examine the 

 next ! 



But Bob as my own beautiful canine is called can 

 do all this, with the other sheep tricks, and something 

 more ; a thing I should have been loth to believe without 

 actually witnessing its accomplishment. As all know, 

 the tick is a troublesome pest to the poor sheep, oft 

 irritating them exceedingly, and a good shepherd will 

 now and then do his endeavour to rid them of the annoy- 

 ance by picking the insects off. Several times when 

 mine has been so employed have I seen Bob helping 

 him ; the dog burying his snout in the sheep's wool, and 

 nosing about till he came upon a tick ; then catching and 

 " scrunching " it between his teeth, in a most business- 

 like manner, when he would drop the ugly beast, and 

 proceed in search of another ! 



I make no comment on this curious proceeding, further 

 than to say that, when I first witnessed it, I was struck 

 with astonishment. Who could have been otherwise ? 

 And after that, who is the sceptic to deny to dumb 

 animals the possession of intellect, altogether apart from 

 instinct ? 



