164 WILD NEIGHBORS CHAP. 
kin have minds developed in a wild state to any- 
thing like the degree of those of many of the 
smaller, fur-bearing animals, such as the ermine, 
fox, or wolverine. They are endowed with so 
much agility, strength, and endurance that they 
rarely need exercise much thought in securing 
their prey; while the caution and cleverness re- 
quired of the weaker species, in order not only 
to get food, but to escape from their enemies, 
which sharpen their faculties daily, are uncalled 
for in the case of these powerful felines, who 
dread no enemies except man. 
Why they should feel this awe of man it is 
difficult to explain. Neither his size nor his erect 
position can account for it, and only in long-set- 
tled or much-hunted regions can the power of his 
firearms be learned. Captives may dread the 
sting of his whip, yet they certainly must be 
aware that they might disarm and crush him with 
a blow. The explanation probably is that they 
are unable to comprehend his habits—to fathom 
his mental attitude —to learn what he is likely 
to do next, and are awed by the mystery of his 
conduct, as we might be by that of a supernatural 
being of unknown power who came amongst us 
and threatened our liberty and happiness. 
The minds of the great carnivora are therefore 
little exercised in nature, and do not grow; and, 
accustomed to power and to seeing all the denizens 
of the forest quail before them, they do not know 
