SENSE OF TIME 57 



correct time asking again in the afternoon when it 

 was 4.17. I then said to Lola : " Tell me the hour ? " 

 " 4," said she. " And the minutes ? " " 18." I 

 made this test several times more, and as the replies 

 were invariably right I could regard this experiement 

 as successful. After this I allowed her to show off 

 her accomplishment to various people, and as long as 

 the novelty appealed to her Lola always told the time 

 correctly and earned much praise. In the presence 

 of Dr. Ziegler and others she gave a most excellent 

 account of herself, and I frequently made practical 

 use of her as my " timepiece." The change-over to 

 " summer-time " created some slight confusion, but 

 this was only temporarily, and was soon overcome. 

 Later, however, she frequently gave the wrong time ! 

 it was only the charm of novelty that spurred her 

 on to her best endeavours ! 



Since then I have not questioned her as often 

 perhaps only once a week, and her replies have varied, 

 some being very good. Only to-day (I am writing on 

 31 December, 1916) I asked her the time ; it was very 

 dusk, and I thought it must be nearly 5 o'clock, but 

 Lola rapped out : " 4 " " And how many minutes ? " 

 I inquired. " No ! " came the reply. " Nonsense ! " 

 I cried, " there must be some minutes as well ? " 

 " No ! " she insisted. So I went and assured myself, 

 believing Lola to have been obstinate, but no, it was 

 actually only just four ! 



It may be taken for granted, I presume, that all 

 dogs have this time-sense in a greater or lesser degree, 

 and not only all dogs, but other animals also, for there 

 are sufficient proofs to justify this assertion. Sports- 

 men, in particular, will be able to furnish examples 

 in support of the theory. That Lola was able to 

 " tell the time " was, of course, merely a matter of 



