119 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DOG. 



inducing the animal to repeat, again and again, what was re- 

 quired not only would the dog be capable of performing that 

 specific act, but that part of the brain, which was brought in- 

 to activity by the mental effort, would become more largely 

 developed ; and hence a permanent increase of mental power 

 be obtained. This reasoning is in accordance with trie 

 known laws of the physiology of the nervous system, and is 

 fraught with the most important results. We may refer the 

 reader interested in the subject, to the masterly little work 

 of Doctor Verity, ' Changes produced in the Nervous System 

 by Civilization.' After this introduction, M. Leonard spoke 

 to his dogs in French, in his usual tone, and ordered one of 

 them to walk, the other to lie down, to run, to gallop, halt 

 crouch, &c., which they performed as promptly and correct- 

 ly as the most docile children. Then he directed them to go 

 through the usual exercises of the manage, which they per- 

 formed as well as the best-trained ponies at Astley's. He 

 next placed six cards of different colors on the floor, and, 

 sitting with his back to the dogs, directed one to pick up the 

 blue card, and the other the white, &c., varying his orders 

 rapidly, and speaking in such a manner, that it was impossi- 

 ble the dogs could have executed his commands if they had 

 not a perfect knowledge of the words. For instance, M. 

 Leonard said, ' Philax, take the red card, and give it to Brae ; 

 and Brae, take the white card, and give it to Philax/ The 

 dogs instantly did this, and exchanged cards with each other. 

 He then said, * Philax, put your card on the green, and Brae, 

 put yours on the blue,' and this was instantly performed. 

 Pieces of bread and meat were placed on the floor, with 

 figured cards, and a variety of directions were given to the 

 dogs, so as to put their intelligence and obedience to a severe 

 test. They brought the meat, bread, or cards, as command- 

 ed, but did not attempt to eat or to touch, unless ordered. 

 Philax was then ordered to bring a piece of meat, and give it 

 to Brae, and then Brae was told to give it back to Philax, 

 who was to return it to its place. Philax was next told he 

 might bring a piece of bread, and eat it ; but, before he had 

 time to swallow it, his master forbade him, and directed him 

 to show that he had not disobeyed, and the dog instantly pro 

 truded the crust between his lips. 



" While many of these feats were being performed, M. 

 Leonard snapped a whip violently, to prove that the animals 

 were so completely under discipline that they would not heed 

 any interruption. 



