^S^ Animal Life and Intelligence, 



afforded by parrot-talfc^-JChe rhyme-association is interest- 

 ing ; but since we cannot suppose that the poetry is more 

 to the parrot than a linked series of sounds, there does not 

 seem much evidence of intelligence here, though the 

 evidence of memory is important. The correct association 

 of words and phrases with appropriate objects and actions 

 is of great interest. But the fact that they are words and 

 phrases does not give them a higher value than that of 

 imitative actions in the dog or other animal. What 

 parrot-talk does give us evidence of is (1) remarkable 

 powers of memory ; (2) an almost unique power of articula- 

 tion ; (3) a great faculty of imitation ; (4) and some in- 

 telligence in the association of certain linked sounds which 

 we call phrases with certain objects or actions. The 

 teaching of phrases to the parrot is certainly not more 

 remarkable than the teaching of clever tricks to many 

 birds. But the fact that word-sounds are articulated 

 throws a glamour over these special tricks, and leads some 

 people to speak of the parrot's using language, instead of 

 saying that the parrot can imitate some of the sounds 

 made by man, and can associate these sounds with certain 

 objects. 



Coming now to the invertebrates, much has been written 

 concerning the psychology and intelligence of ants and 

 bees. What shall we say concerning their constructs ? 

 For reasons already given, I think we may suppose that 

 they are analogous to ours ; but it can scarcely be that 

 they in any way closely resemble ours. Their sense-organs 

 are constructed on a different plan from ours ; they have 

 probably senses of which we are wholly ignorant. Is it 

 conceivable, by any one who has grasped the principle of 

 construction, that with these differently organized senses 

 and these other senses than ours, the world they construct 

 can much resemble the world we construct ? Eemember 

 how largely our perceptual world is the product of our 

 geometrical senses — of our delicate and accurate sense of 

 touch, and of our binocular vision, with its delicate and 



