GENERAL ADAPTIVENESS. 375 



(Watson). An orang carried its chain by coiling it and 

 throwing it over its shoulder, as man would have done, or 

 by suspending it from its mouth, holding it in its teeth 

 (Cassell). 



We might go on to any extent multiplying and varying 

 such illustrations of adaptiveness in the lower animals ; but 

 instances are to be found in almost every chapter of this 

 book, and further detail here is unnecessary and undesirable. 

 It is desirable, however, to call attention to the evidences 

 of judgment, of calm and deliberate reflection, or of rapid 

 thought and equally rapid decision that everywhere present 

 themselves. 



Such an evidence is the hesitancy so frequently shown in 

 determining on a course of action, the animal being obviously 

 puzzled or bewildered, on the one hand, as to the nature or 

 amount of danger, and on the other, as to the best means of 

 avoiding it. In the dog especially irresolution may fre- 

 quently be noticed ; the animal is obviously ' of two minds ; ' 

 it cannot for or at the moment come to a decision 'make up 

 its mind' in one direction or another; it is weighing, per- 

 haps, its fears and hopes, likes and dislikes, and it has not 

 yet determined the preferable or proper course of action. 

 Dogs may often be seen pausing for reflection, for a consider- 

 ation or contemplation of ways and means ; for deliberation, 

 for instance, at the bifurcation of a road which of its two 

 branches should be followed. Elephants, too, ponder over 

 the best means of doing their work before arriving at a deci- 

 sion (' Animal World'). Such hesitation or doubt involves a 

 comparison of different means in relation to their adaptability 

 to compass a given end. 



Another important evidence is to be found in animals 

 usually obedient to man such as sporting dogs venturing 

 sometimes to think and act for themselves, using their own 

 discretion instead of obeying orders, or acting according to 

 use and wont ; even setting up their own judgment in op- 

 position to that of their master, and acting upon their own 

 judgment in other words, independently of him. And it is 

 further noteworthy that in such cases, as in so many others, 

 the lower animals frequently show their superior intelligence, 



