THE WAYS OF LIFE 249 



It is not even certain that a cat can catch a mouse without 

 having been shown the way ! 



In regard to instinctive, as well as intelhgent behaviour, 

 it is probable that the influence of others counts for much 

 — probably for more than is generally allowed. Taken 

 singly, the ant, the bee or the termite has not a great deal 

 to say for itself ; but ' the co-operative work of the hive or 

 nest is amongst the greatest wonders of nature '. ' This ', 

 says Professor Carveth Read, ' perhaps may be best ex- 

 plained by the incessant trying of all the operative ants, or 

 bees, or termites, at their several tasks, in which individuals 

 often fail, but have their work made good by the trying of 

 others '. As Tiirner points out in his study of ' homing ' 

 in ants, the appearance of concerted division of labour 

 may be deceptive, they supplement one another because all 

 are trying. Thus, flurried ants carrying pupae may hide 

 these under a stone, and others who know the way may 

 rescue the pupse if they discover them. 



As every one knows, a piece of behaviour which was 

 ' thought out ' to begin with, or required intelligent control 

 at every turn, may be repeated so often that the brain 

 is modified by its performance, and the need for attention 

 and control ceases. In a word, it becomes habitual. ' A 

 habit is a more or less definite mode of procedure or kind 

 of behaviour which has been acquired by the individual and 

 has become, so to speak, stereotyped through repetition '. 



Instinct and Intelligence 



When a newly-hatched coot or blackheaded gull is 

 tumbled into water, it swims well — instinctively ; when the 

 hens come running when the hen-wife calls ' Tuck- Tuck ', 



