KNOWLEDGE BY INVESTIGATION. 253 



it may frequently be called within gunshot by waving a 

 pocket handkerchief.' 



The guanaco of South America also owes its capture by 

 the hunter to its inquisitiveness. These hunters ' lie on the 

 ground, kicking their legs in the air and performing sundry 

 strange antics. The guanaco cannot resist the temptation 

 of approaching the strange object, and is shot by the hunter 

 as soon as it comes within range. Even if it be missed it 

 will not run away, evidently considering the flash and the 

 report to be part of the performance ' (Darwin). 



It is curiosity that leads frequently to a prying inspection 

 or examination not only of man's works but of himself, of 

 the one as strange articles, of the other as an unfamiliar or 

 new animal. This habit in the Arctic bear is often useful to 

 sailors in enabling them to save their lives. In their flight, 

 if they throw down successively handkerchiefs or other 

 articles, especially if brightly coloured, the pursuing animal 

 carefully examines them one by one, an inspection that occu- 

 pies time, which, while lost to the bear, is gained by the 

 sailors (Cassell). But examination is prompted by other 

 considerations than mere curiosity and a desire for satisfying 

 it. A much more common reason for the careful inspection 

 of a person, other animal, or thing is to determine 



1. Whether it is dangerous or harmless. 



2. Whether it may subserve any useful purpose to tlie 

 examiner. 



Many birds scrutinise keenly all man's operations and 

 their results. Other animals examine new objects with dis- 

 trust and precaution. The prairie wolf makes a very deli- 

 berate inspection of all forms of snare, trap, or bait. 



Examination frequently includes or involves more or less 

 systematic and protracted search, research, or exploration for 

 or of 



1. Forage fields. 



2. Water supply. 



3. Lost young. 



4. Lost or stolen articles of man's. 



5. Their masters' persons. 



6. Booty or spoil of all kinds. 



