

INTELLIGENCE. 109 



This reasoning is in accordance with the known laws of the physiology 

 of the nervous system, and is fraught with the most important results. 

 We may refer the reader interested in the subject to the masterly little 

 work of Dr. Verity, " Changes produced in the Nervous System by 

 Civilization." 



After this introduction, M. Leonard spoke to his dogs in French, in 

 his usual tone, and ordered one of them to walk, the other to lie down, to 

 run, to gallop, halt, crouch, &c., which they performed as promptly and 

 correctly as the most docile children. Then he directed them to go 

 through the usual exercises of the manege, which they performed as well 

 as the best trained ponies at Astley's. 



He next placed six cards of different colours on the floor, and, sitting 

 with his back to the dogs, directed one to pick up the blue card, and the 

 other the white, &c., varying his orders rapidly, and speaking in such a 

 manner that it was impossible the dogs could have executed his commands 

 if they had not had a perfect knowledge of the words. For instance, M. 

 Leonard said, " Philax, take the red card and give it to Brae ; and, Brae, 

 take the white card and give it to Philax ;" the dogs instantly did this, and 

 exchanged cards with each other. He then said, " Philax, put your card 

 on the green, and Brae, put yours on the blue ;" and this was instantly 

 performed. Pieces of bread and meat were placed on the floor, with 

 figured cards, and a variety of directions were given to the dogs, so as to 

 put their intelligence and obedience to a severe test. They brought the 

 meat, bread, or cards, as commanded, but did not attempt to eat or to 

 touch unless ordered. Philax was then ordered to bring a piece of meat 

 and give it to Brae, and then Brae was told to give it back to Philax, who 

 was to return it to its place. Philax was next told he might bring a piece 

 of bread and eat it ; but, before he had time to swallow it, his master for- 

 bade him, and directed him to show that he had not disobeyed, and the dog 

 instantly protruded the crust between his lips. 



While many of these feats were being performed, M. Leonard snapped 

 a whip violently, to prove that the animals were so completely under disci- 

 pline, that they would not heed any interruption. 



After many other performances, M. Leonard invited a gentleman to 

 play a game of dominos with one of them. The younger and slighter 

 dog then seated himself on a chair at the table, and the writer and M. 

 Leonard seated themselves opposite. Six dominos were placed on their 

 edges in the usual manner before the dog, and a like number before the 

 writer. The dog having a double number, took one up in his*mouth, and 

 put it in the middle of the table ; the writer placed a corresponding piece 

 on one side ; the dog immediately played another correctly, and so on until 

 all the pieces were engaged. Other six dominos were then given to each, 

 and the writer intentionally placed a wrong number. The dog looked sur- 

 prised, stared very earnestly at the writer, growled, and finally barked 

 angrily. Finding that no notice was taken of his remonstrances, he 

 pushed away the wrong domino with his nose, and took up a suitable one 

 from his own pieces, and placed it in its stead. The writer then played 

 correctly ; the dog followed, and won the game. Not the slightest inti- 

 mation could have been given by M. Leonard to the dog. This mode of 

 play must have been entirely the result of his own observation and judg- 

 ment. It should be added that the performances were strictly private. 

 The owner of the dogs was a gentleman of independent fortune, and the 



