972 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 
It appears to be the duty of this ruler, to exercise do- 
minion over the individuals of his tribe, to be first at the post 
of danger, and to regulate the places for the safety of all. 
Accordingly, in the exercise of his office, a bull, a ram, 
or a stallion, may easily be detected in a flock, by superior 
boldness and freedom of action, —by keeping on the outside 
of the group, and being foremost to hazard the chances of 
a battle. The herds of wild elephants are likewise govern- 
ed by a leader; and when these are enclosed in a snare, he 
is the first that enters the palisades, the first to become 
captive. When, instead of fighting, the duty of the leader 
is to retreat, we always observe him first in motion. ‘Thus, 
in approaching a flock of seals on a sandbank, it is the 
Jargest which we observe moving first towards the water ; 
and in springing a covey of partridges, the sire is usually 
first on the wing. 
b. Mutual Support.—It is obvious, that without obedi- 
ence to the ruler, the tribe would lose the benefit of his 
protection ; so, without a union of strength or stratagem in 
the hour of danger, the fee would be able to make more 
extensive havoc. If a dog enter a park among cattle, a 
general movement of the herd towards him, indicates the 
sense of common danger. When a wolf approaches the 
flock, they form a hollow-square, and placing the young 
ones in the centre, are in this manner prepared for the at- 
tack. In such a situation, the bull as the ruler, usually 
steps forward and chases the foe to a distance. Perhaps, 
however, the most complicated part of this system of mu- 
tual defence, consists in the appointment of sentinels to 
give warning of danger ; and, in the mean time, to permit 
the herd to eat or rest in safety. ‘The monkeys, when en- 
gaged in their predatory excursions, always have one of 
their number at a suitable place, to give warning of danger, 
if necessary. In looking ata flock of geese feeding in a 
