188 MORAL MERIT 



ant expeditions is, however, distinctly voluntary (Houzeau), 

 as is their persistent fighting or working when wounded. 

 For these phenomena are not uniform or invariably exhibited; 

 wholesale self-sacrifice is exhibited only upon important, 

 exceptional occasions e.g. when the nest is threatened 

 (Houzeau). 



Rescue from peril of man, or of each other whatever the 

 risk to, and frequently at the sacrifice of, their own lives 

 must present a difficulty to those who would explain away all 

 the magnanimous actions of the lower animals by referring 

 them to c instinct.' No doubt the waste of life which is 

 frequently involved in self-sacrifice may be regarded as a kind 

 of stupidity or its result, in so far, for instance, as it is needless 

 or unsuccessful. But the very same argument applies to many 

 of the sacrifices of man himself. In rescue from drowning 

 by the dog we have not only courage, with prompt, impulsive 

 action, bnt also appreciation of danger, sympathy with the 

 peril of others, overcoming natural timidity of water or love 

 of life, and frequently the most genuine self-sacrifice, in the 

 same sense in which such a term can be applied to the noblest 

 actions of man. It makes its sacrifice knowing the risk, 

 fearing the pain, and clinging to life (Cobbe). 



When the collie or terrier, which are not water dogs, jumps 

 into the sea or a river to save life, recover property, or simply 

 to obey the behest of its master, its natural dislikes are 

 overcome by stronger feelings, such as affection or sym- 

 pathy; in some cases it may be simply by obedience, discipline, 

 the dread of punishment, or hope of reward. 



Man's interpretation of animal motive here again crops up. 

 If he admit or assign a motive at all, it is almost sure to be 

 an ungenerous or erroneous one. Man, and especially hyper- 

 critical man, does not give the dog, in life-saving by it, credit 

 for the best but the worst motives ; or he is foolish enough to 

 attribute its action to mere instinctive impulse. He ascribes 

 in it the practical virtue of generosity to the mere giving away 

 of what is not valued or required, or of what does not belong 

 to it for instance, in the case of superfluities of food or booty 

 or to a desire for mere physical comfort pure selfishness 

 (Houzeau). And all these forms of generosity may occur 



