Hunters and Hunted 



pointed claws in capturing and killing the most agile 

 victim ; though the cat, in common with others of its 

 kind, only slaughters its unfortunate victim after playing 

 with it for some time. 



Dogs have been domesticated by man for such varied 

 purposes and for so long a time that it is by no means easy 

 to find an example which conforms to the scientist's idea 

 of the typical dog. In some cases fleetness of foot has 

 been developed at the expense of other qualities ; in 

 others the sense of smell is the most important, from man's 

 point of view. However, what we may term the typical dog 

 possesses a keen sense of smell, which serves it in good 

 stead in hunting its prey, though the greyhound, be it 

 noted, relies upon its keen sight rather than upon its nose 

 when pursuing its prey. The nostrils, in health, are 

 always moist an additional aid in scenting a victim, for 

 a dry nose means a lessened sense of smell. 



Though inferior to the cat in hearing, still its powers in 

 this respect are far more highly developed than in human 

 beings. Fleet of foot, it possesses claws certainly, but 

 they are not sharply pointed and never used in capturing 

 prey. A noteworthy fact concerning the dog is that, 

 however heated it may become in the chase, it never 

 perspires in the ordinary way ; it breathes, however, some 

 three hundred times per minute in place of the usual 

 thirty, and in so doing removes surplus moisture from 

 the lungs. A panting dog, therefore, is not necessarily 

 exhausted, but simply one that is removing waste pro- 

 ducts from his system in his own especial way, instead of 

 by perspiration, as with most other animals. 



Hearing, sight and touch, then, are the main adjuncts 

 to successful forays on the part of the cat, and hearing, 

 sight and scent on the part of the dog. Having thus 

 disposed of the peculiarities of two of our commonest 

 animals, we are free to examine the methods by which 

 some of the others with which we may not be so well 

 acquainted obtain their food. It is only right to mention 



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