CAPACITY FOR EDUCATION. 239 



that, could only they be induced to bestow them, the patient 

 efforts of our missionaries in this direction on our anthro- 

 poid * poor relations ' instead of on their fellow-creatures and 

 countrymen the negro might produce results of a startling 

 character results that might put an end, once and for all, 

 to current sneers as to the psychical connection between 

 men and monkeys. 



At present aptitude to receive instruction, readiness to 

 repay tuition, capacity for education whether moral, intel- 

 lectual, or physical is supposed to be greatest in the dog. 

 But this is probably simply because man's efforts have been 

 chiefly expended upon him ; that he comes most constantly 

 and intimately in contact with man, and that he is therefore 

 best known to man. Remarkable facility in learning man's 

 lessons is known to exist also in the parrot and bullfinch, and 

 in certain other song birds. But we cannot at present be 

 said to possess a satisfactory knowledge of the relative 

 capacity of different animal genera and species for education. 

 Of the differing capacity of individuals of the same species 

 we know much more know, in fact, a good deal know that 

 it occurs to the same extent as in man a circumstance that 

 is familiar to all trainers of horses, dogs, or other animals. 

 This branch of the subject is again and more fully referred 

 to in the chapter on * Individuality.' 



The proper education of the lower animals requires 



1. Certain qualifications in the teacher. 



2. Certain aptitudes in the pupil. 



3. Certain other favourable circumstances in external or 

 surrounding conditions. 



The trainer, in the first place, must make all due allow- 

 ance for individuality, for the natural mental aptitudes of 

 his pupils, for their natural courage, sagacity, and other 

 qualities of character; and, in proportion as he makes a 

 preliminary and special study of this individuality, is he 

 likely to be successful in his results. 



The necessity of attending to individuality, of studying 

 individual character or disposition, becomes apparent in 



1. Zoological gardens and menageries. 



2. Lion-taming and similar public exhibitions. 



17 



