no Habit and Instinct. 



the guinea-pig and the rabbit agree in their rapid attain- 

 ment of maturity in such powers as they possess. The 

 guinea-pig, very soon after birth, is able to care for itself, 

 and capable of maintaining an independent existence ; the 

 rabbit at birth is " blind, deaf, incapable of any con- 

 siderable locomotive power, and, generally speaking, in a 

 perfectly helpless condition." Yet, starting at such 

 different levels, these two animals both run so rapidly 

 through the early stages of the unfolding of what is con- 

 genital, accompanied by the learning by experience of what 

 is of chief value to their relatively simple life, that at the 

 end of three or four weeks there is " little to note by way of 

 further advance." "After the first month of existence," 

 says Dr. Mills, " comparison with the dog, cat, and allied 

 creatures ceases to be suggestive. The rodents are left 

 quite behind. They seem capable of little education, 

 either by man or by nature. In other words, they get 

 little by experience beyond that which strengthens their 

 instincts and emphasizes their simple psychic life." On 

 the other hand, Mr. Mann Jones has found that some 

 rabbits are capable of a good deal of education, and are 

 by no means lacking in intelligence. Of rats, too, his 

 experience is of a similar kind. And Mr. Drane has given 

 an interesting account of what may be done with the hare 

 as a pet. 



With regard to the development of sensory power, the 

 guinea-pig soon after birth shows so clearly that it sees, 

 hears, tastes, etc., that it would be hazardous, in the 

 opinion of Dr. Mills, to assert that these functions do not 

 exist at birth. This, too, seems to be the case with the 

 hare. Development by use there no doubt is, but the steps 

 towards perfection are taken with great rapidity. The 

 congenital element predominates. 



All young mammals seem sensitive at birth, or very 



