INTELLIGENCE IN ANIMALS. 159 



commonly entertained that a distinction exists 

 between the mental qualities of the cleverest ape and 

 the dullest and stupidest savage, which is utterly 

 unlike any that exists among animals. In this essay 

 we shall have to consider cases in which rats, cats, 

 dogs, &c., animals all inferior in mental faculties, 

 though not all in equal degree, to the more intelligent 

 apes, have acted in ways which seem to imply 

 reasoning. We shall treat these cases rather from 

 the point of view of an opponent of Darwin's thesis 

 above quoted than of a supporter, endeavouring in 

 every case to find explanations not involving the 

 exercise of reasoning faculties. But we must admit 

 at the outset, that we find ourselves led to precisely 

 the conclusion he has indicated. 



In the first place, we must recall to our reader's 

 recollection those instances which have been selected 

 by Darwin as so satisfactory, that in his opinion any 

 one not convinced by them would not be convinced 

 by anything that he could add. 



Rengger states, says Darwin, " that when he first 

 gave eggs to his monkeys, they smashed them, and 

 thus lost much of their contents; afterwards they 

 gently hit one end against some hard body, and 

 picked off the bits of shell with their fingers. After 

 cutting themselves only once with any sharp tool, 

 they would not touch it again, or would handle it 

 with the greatest care. Lumps of sugar were often 

 given them wrapped up in paper, and Rengger some- 

 times put a live wasp in the paper, so that in hastily 



