ORGANISATIONS. 393 



in feeding, those in the rear flying to the front in succes- 

 sion, so that all may have a fair and equal chance of food- 

 supply. 



Dog-hysenas, when hunting in packs South African ante- 

 lopes, relieve each other when fatigued, 'the leading hounds 

 falling to the rear .... when others, who have been 

 husbanding their strength, come up,' according to Gordon 

 Gumming. On a similar principle relays as well as reserves 

 are used in various kinds of work military or other so as 

 to avoid the exhaustion of important individuals and allow 

 suitable intervals of rest and refreshment. Among foraging 

 and leaf-cutting ants there are regular relays of porters in 

 conveying food (Belt). Parent woodpeckers take their turn 

 at work, the resting one singing to the labouring mate 

 by way of encouragement or as an expression of love. 

 In war reinforcements are kept in readiness, sought or 

 ordered, and sent, implying an understanding that aid is, or 

 may be, needed, and of what kind, in what way, at what 

 time and place, and for what reason or object. 



Another pleasing feature connected with unity of action 

 in the lower animals is that they have the good sense and 

 good feeling by no means always present in the case of 

 ' superior ' man before a common enemy, or in presence of 

 a common danger, or for a common good, to forget or thrust 

 aside all their individual, family, caste, clan, or tribal quar- 

 rels or feuds of all kinds. Here again, as in so many other 

 cases, they feel that their safety it may be their very 

 existence depends on that strength, that bold front which 

 the union of numbers gives ; and however ready they are at 

 other times to give vent to their petty passions and express 

 their individual animosities, they recognise the inexpediency 

 or impropriety of doing so at a time when all effort requires 

 to be concentrated in one direction. Ravens forget their 

 individual hates over a common prey, so that they consent to 

 share booty even with their enemies. There is no ran- 

 cour, grudge, or temper shown if the food-supply be abun- 

 dant (Watson). 



The making of common cause often depends upon what is 

 entitled to be considered a veritable esprit de corps for 



