LEAF AND TENDRIL 



from tree to tree they would go, until one of them 

 overtook the other, when it seemed to become its 

 turn to flee and be pursued. But just how much 

 method there is in such a game, it is impossible to 

 determine. In all cases, the play of animals tends to 

 develop those powers of speed, or agility, or strength 

 that their ways of living call for. The spirit of play 

 gradually leaves an animal at maturity, as it leaves 

 man. 



A trait alike common to man and beast is imi- 

 tativeness ; both are naturally inclined to do what 

 they see their fellows do. The younger children 

 imitate the elder, the elder imitate their parents, 

 their parents imitate their neighbors. The young 

 writer imitates the old, the young artist copies 

 the master. We catch the trick of speech or the 

 accent of those we much associate with; we prob- 

 ably, in a measure, even catch their looks. Any 

 fashion of dress or equipage is as catching as the 

 measles. We are more or less copyists all our lives. 

 Among the animals, the young do what they see 

 their parents do; this, I am convinced, is all there 

 is of parental instruction among them; the young 

 unconsciously follow the example of their elders. 

 The bird learns the song of its parent. If it never 

 hears this song, it may develop a song of its own — 

 like its parent's song in quality, of course, but un- 

 like it in form. Or it may acquire the song of some 

 other species. 



150 



