LEARNED HOGS. 153 



A suit of thirteen cards are substituted for the numbers, and 

 the liog selects them as required to reply to various questions. 

 After these have served their turn they are replaced by a num- 

 ber of cards on each of which is printed a single word in large 

 type. Then the exhibitor continues in something like this 

 manner : 



" Now, Will, I suppose you are very much obliged to these 

 ladies and gentlemen for their attendance this evening -, [Will 

 selects cards, on which is printed Yes ; and now, Will, I want 

 you to tell these ladies and gentlemen what day this is [hog 

 does soj ; and what are you going to give the ladies that come to 

 see you '? [Kiss.] Well, that's very gallant ! And what reward 

 do you want for amusing these people? [Corn.] And what 

 induces me to exhibit you ? [Money.] So you think I am fond 

 of money, do you ? [Yes.] And I wonder if there is anything 

 else I'm fond of? [Rum.] And what happens when I get a 

 little too much of that article ? [Drunk.] " 



And so on with a, multitude of other questions which would 

 be tiresome to repeat, but which it is quite amusing to see the 

 hog answer. The card in each case would be brought to the 

 exhibitor, who in all cases where the coiTCct card was selected, 

 di'opped a few kernels of corn as a reward. Occasionally a wrong 

 one would be brought, in which case a sly kick, or hit on the nose, 

 was administered. Sometimes the hog seemed in doubt and 

 would pick up a card and replace it, taking another ; once or 

 twice he stopped midway between two cards, turning his nose 

 first toward one and then toward the other, squealing dismally, 

 a very picture of perplexity. He had sense enough to know 

 what he would get in case of a mistake. His mistakes, however, 

 were very few. 



The whole performance really consists in the hog selecting 

 the card under the direction of his master. If the latter be 

 watched narrowly, it will be seen that he changes his position 

 from time to time, as the hog passes from one card to another, 

 If the hog stops before he reaches the proper card the trainer 

 moves his foot in the direction in which the hog should go ; if 

 he passes it the foot is moved in the other direction. When no 

 movement is made the hog knows he is before the right card 

 and picks it up. When the hog becomes confused and fright- 

 ened this movement of the foot is quite obvious to a close obser- 

 ver, for at such times the hog does not so readily take the cue. 

 This signaling is the secret of the performance ; but before the 

 hog can understand these signals, or will pick up the cards, a 

 regular system of training must be pursued. 



The pig — for the education begins when the animal is young 



