218 CANINE INTELLIGENCE. 



clined to interpret as equal to man's sole attribute. 

 The hare is frequently known to retrace her foot- 

 steps for some distance, and then spring off with 

 a long bound, at right angles, in another direc- 

 tion. Well, a human being in like circumstances 

 could not devise a more clever mode to escape 

 his pursuers ; but this same hare would run her 

 head into a noose or wire set on the bare downs, 

 rubbing her chin against the very pegs placed thus 

 openly for her destruction. 



Of all animals the dog stands pre-eminent for 

 the exhibition of the greatest degree of instinct, 

 approaching so nearly to reasoning powers that 

 we can scarcely divest ourselves of the idea that 

 he possesses a mind to think, deliberate, and act. 

 But a little consideration of the wide difference 

 between the dog in a wild and in a domesticated 

 state will serve to convince us that the greater 

 part of the reasoning powers assigned to him is 

 derived from the instruction he receives from man, 

 and the close intercourse existing between the dog 

 and his master. 



Even among birds, the parrot, the magpie, and 

 the starling are taught to speak, the bullfinch 

 to whistle tunes, and the goldfinch and canary to 

 draw water. It would be absurd to say that 

 these birds must possess a mind or reasoning 



