382 ORGANISATIONS. 



Whether belonging to the same or different species, 

 animal leaders have recognised and definite duties to per- 

 form, recognised equally by themselves and those under their 

 control. These duties include, for instance 



1. The marshalling or ordering of large bodies of in- 

 dividuals. 



2. The prevention of straggling and the collection of 

 stragglers. 



3. The maintenance of authority, including the suppres- 

 sion or punishment of insubordination. 



4. The exercise of command and the issuing of orders 

 by voice-sounds, signs, their own conduct or example, or 

 otherwise. 



5. The making arrangements for safety, defence or flight 

 including the substitution of order for confusion. 



6. Guidance in the proper path, finding the way and 

 showing it. 



The animal leader has first to master his own position in 

 all its bearings, and he usually takes pains to do so. For he 

 exercises an authority one of the characteristics of which 

 is a dangerous degree of responsibility to his fellows. His 

 conduct is at all times before them, and he is liable at any 

 moment to popular vengeance in many cases it may be in- 

 nocently or unjustly to deposition and degradation, to punish- 

 ment perhaps of a capital kind for any indiscretion, for 

 any failure even in strength or courage. He is punishable 

 for errors both of omission and commission, real or supposed, 

 and the punishment may be both direct and summary. Thus 

 Houzeau mentions a furious onslaught of a herd of buffaloes 

 on their leader, a feeble old chief. So infuriated were they, 

 so blinded by passion, so absorbed in the execution of their 

 vengeance, that they were for the moment indifferent to the 

 attack of man. 



Generally speaking, the animal chief enjoys his supre- 

 macy only so long as he can maintain it, and this is usually 

 vi et armis by virtue of superior bodily strength. When- 

 ever there is an approach to anything like decay physical 

 or mental, or both it is sure to be espied by observant 

 youthful, ambitious aspirants for his place and power. The 



