December 19, 1913] 



SCIENCE 



method of orientation is largely domi-centric. 

 The orientation reference points in the ego- 

 centric method are points on the horizon cor- 

 responding to the directions N., E., S. and W. 

 Lines from these points always intersect at 

 the ego, the intersection moving with the ego; 

 hence the basis for the term given to this sys- 

 tem of orientation. 



pass as such, or of the extent of the world, 

 know only the region which they have trav- 

 ersed. Thus it follows that from the time 

 these creatures come into existence their move- 

 ments, instead of being referred to points of 

 the compass, relate to the place where they 

 began their existence, and hence in early life 

 their knowledge of space must necessarily be 



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Unfemiliar Region 





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Tig. 1. Ego-centric Method of Orientation. In the unfamiliar region the reference points are ob- 

 jects or points on the horizon corresponding to the direction N., E., S. or W. 



It is, of course, well known that when a man 

 is wandering through any maze-like region, 

 such as a primeval forest, the compass gives 

 the direction from the man toward the north, 

 or more strictly, the north magnetic pole, and 

 to all other parts of the compass, but not the 

 direction to the man's starting point ; thus the 

 ego-centric method is not a system per se 

 which will direct the individual to his home. 

 This system of orientation, therefore, (a) leads 

 man to think of space in relation to the cardi- 

 nal points of the compass; (6) it can be used 

 to direct an individual home only when the 

 path which he has passed over is known. 

 The method is illustrated by Fig. 1. 



Tlie Domi-Centric Method of Orientation. — 

 All living creatures, other than civilized man, 

 having no knowledge of the points of the corn- 



related to the place of birth. This system of 

 orientation, centering at the home and irre- 

 spective of the points of compass, has been 

 called the domi-centric method, and is illus- 

 trated by Fig. 2. The Esquimaux, Indians, 

 etc., evidently have a method of orientation 

 which is not definitely in any one class, but is 

 rather a combination of the two methods al- 

 ready mentioned. 



If the home of any animal is changed for a 

 considerable period of time to a region away 

 from its former habitation, thenceforth all 

 movements will be referred to the last prin- 

 cipal reference point, or home. In this case 

 the domi-center has changed. 



It is well here to emphasize the entirely 

 different mental concept of civilized human 

 beings, on the one hand, and of other living 



