MENTAL DIFFERENCE AND DISOKDEK. 225 



motion in objects, in which the opposite condition is usual 

 and expected, may produce the same effects in certain timid 

 animals, as the sudden unexpected appearance of moving 

 unfamiliar bodies. In either case alarm or suspicion is apt 

 to be produced. That it is simply the novelty of the position 

 that disturbs the animal is shown by the fact that calm 

 observation and examination of the dreaded object, whether 

 in motion or at rest, sooner or later dissipates fear, and 

 disarms suspicion, so that what was formerly avoided as a 

 possible or probable source of danger may become a play- 

 thing to the kitten or pup, and after it has served its pur- 

 pose, of being, by virtue of its novelty, the plaything of the 

 moment, it is as apt to be cast aside as the toy of the 

 capricious child, the adage holding equally good in both 

 cases, that ' familiarity breeds contempt.' 



Certain sounds musical or other produce deleterious 

 mental results in some animals. The effects of certain notes, 

 tones, tunes, times, of harmony or discord, on the dog, 

 causing it to howl its distress or irritation, are familiar. 

 Some dogs tremble at music as if terrified (Darwin). Similar 

 excitement is produced sometimes in the elephant, taking in 

 it the form even of erotic fury. Music is said to have been 

 the means of playing off dangerous practical jokes on the 

 menagerie animals of the Jardin des Plantes, and it is 

 represented as an easy mode in such animals of artificially 

 inducing mania (Pierquin). Clara Eossiter tells us of a pet 

 rabbit, which, when a harmonium was played upon by a lady, 

 'flew frantically at the instrument and violently scratched 

 the legs till she ceased from playing. If she went to the 

 piano and played on that, bunny was as frantic with delight 

 as he was before with anger. He would run round and 

 round the stool on which she sat, for five or ten minutes 

 without stopping, till he was compelled to do so from ex- 

 haustion, then fell down by her side panting for breath, 

 otherwise quite motionless. After recovering himself to be- 

 gin again, he rose to renew his circular race, continuing for 

 an hour together, if my sister, in mercy to the poor animal, 

 did not rise and go away from the piano.' 



In mice, too, a delight, amounting to ecstasy, giving rise 



VOL. II. Q 



