BIRTH II 



Such knowledge is, take it how you will, most 

 mysterious ; more so, of course, amongst so-called speech- 

 less creatures than it would be amongst ourselves. 



Nor is it confined to the ordinary routine of a nursery ; 

 it includes emergencies, and touches on '* First Aid." 



Though a hen never helps a strong chick, she is busy 

 with her beak for the weakling long before delay in 

 hatching could have warned the most experienced henwife 

 that help would be required. 



In like manner when a new-born foal fails to find its 

 feet, the mare will, after the usual friction with her tongue, 

 give it a gentle kick or nip it down the spine with her teeth, 

 just as an experienced midwife slaps or rubs the babe she 

 fears may be still-born. 



Thus humanity seems to have no monopoly of 

 Bethlehem, neither is wisdom the perquisite of its mother 

 love. 



