156 SAPIENT PIGS 



the centre of a large room filled with spectators, within 

 a circle of cards, by which he would tell the hour of the 

 day, the minutes and seconds, with sundry other tricks 

 of a Hke nature. But what would have been the amount 

 of knowledge belonging to this sapient animal without 

 the directing eye and superintendence of his master ? 

 Nothing at all. I heard of another pig that was taught 

 to range the fields and stand partridges like a pointer. 

 This pig had evidently a mind or disposition to do what 

 he was taught ; but had he the mind to know what he 

 was doing ? I trow not. 



But to return to the dog. What powers of mind does 

 he display as evidently emanating from reasoning 

 faculties, apart from instruction ? We hear of Newfound- 

 land dogs saving men from drowning ; what noble 

 (minded is, I suppose, understood) animals ! They have 

 been instructed from puppyhood to bring sticks and 

 other things thrown into the water out of it ; here is no 

 display of mind. Sheep-dogs on the mountains go to 

 bring home their master's sheep ; they have been 

 continually accustomed to do so, having learnt their 

 lesson from older dogs. Pointers range the fields naturally 

 in quest of game ; they will (as nearly all dogs do) stand 

 or point for a certain time before springing upon it ; but 

 they are finally taught, by severe discipUne, to stand 

 much longer, and back each other also. Dogs become 

 exceedingly attached to kind masters. The ox knoweth 

 his owner, and the ass his master's crib. It is by instinct 

 alone that hounds hunt their game ; and this reminds 

 me how widely I have been digressing from my subject 

 — ^hare-hunting. 



Having stated that the number of hounds is quite 

 optional, and will probably be proportioned to the means 



