166 MR. CROCKER'S EDUCATED HORSES 



and to be ready to enact it at the right moment ; and 

 they did so in a manner which would put many of our 

 volunteers or militia to shame. 



Anyone who has ever seen the educated horses 

 belonging to Mr. Crocker, U.S.A., can hardly fail to 

 have been surprised at what a pitch of intelligence 

 horses can display. Twelve fine horses fall into line 

 W'ithout bit or bridle, Mr. Crocker standing in front of 

 them holding his coat and hat. The first horse, which 

 is called Turk by name, is asked to take away the hat 

 and coat and bring in a chair, and also to wipe out the 

 figures on a blackboard, all of which he does without 

 the slightest hesitation. He is then examined in 

 arithmetic, and his power of calculation is put to the 

 test. He is told to multiply 2 by 3, 2 by 5, 3 by 5, 

 and 3 by 8, and also to give his age. He gives the 

 correct answers by beating the ground with his fore- 

 foot the number of times required. He is then told 

 to fall in again, and he at once takes his place in the 

 ranks, arching his neck and looking quite proud of 

 himself. 



The next horse called is Victor. His hearing and 

 understanding sentences which are put to him are 

 tested. He thoroughly understands the meaning of 

 ' Turn to the right ' or ' Turn to the left,' etc. 



Then Hugo, another fine animal, comes forward, 

 and his ideas of colour are exhibited. Three hand- 

 kerchiefs — one red, one white, and one blue — are pro- 

 duced. One is stowed away in a desk, a second is hung 

 on a rope, and a third is retained, and the audience are 

 requested to select one of the three colours. On the 

 blue being mentioned on one occasion, the horse went 

 straight to the desk and took out the blue handkerchief. 



