CHAPTER 



USE OF NATURAL INSTRUMENTS. 



AMONG the many supposed points of difference between 

 man and other animals is his use of tools and weapons, of 

 instruments of all kinds. But such a belief and such an 

 allegation are the obvious errors of thoughtlessness, for very 

 little consideration is required to show that the lower ani- 

 mals, or at least many of them, employ 



1. Their own bodies, or portions or members thereof, as 

 natural instruments, as tools or weapons, as the case may be. 



2. Certain natural objects to which they have access 

 for instance, sticks and stones. 



3. Both the natural instruments of their own bodies or 

 the members thereof, and other natural objects as tools or 

 weapons in the most effective way. 



4. They select, however, the most suitable natural instru- 

 ments for their special purposes. 



5. They maintain all such instruments in good working 

 order, or render them suitable for special uses. 



6. Further, they are acquainted with the applications of 

 many of the instruments constructed and used by man, and 

 they behave in accordance with this knowledge. 



7. They also use these instruments themselves, and in 

 the same way that man does. 



8. They substitute those of man for their own natural 

 instruments when they find the former at once more acces- 

 sible, more convenient, and more effective. 



9. They use more than one instrument at the same time, 

 the one supplementing or assisting the other. 



It will appear in the sequel that certain animals may be 



