EXPLANATION OF OBSERVATIONS 189 



ing the others, then the others were purposely restrained 

 by their respective riders. The commands were given 

 by the corporal who usually had charge of the horses. In 

 a few cases the sergeant of the squadron gave the com- 

 mands, but this made no difference in the success of the 

 experiment. Now as to the results. Whenever the 

 horses were trotting or walking, all commands, without 

 exception, were in vain. They effected neither an in- 

 crease nor a decrease in the pace. A result was obtained 

 only when the horses were standing when the test began ; 

 and this result was simple enough, — upon certain calls 

 the animals would respond by b^ginnmg_to„walk. This 

 was the only reaction that was obtained. The most effec- 

 tive of the~xarnmands appeare3~To~Ge " Squadron, — 

 march ! " But the command " Squadron ! " or 

 " March ! " alone, were quite as effective ; yet none of 

 these commands was obeyed without exception. Reac- 

 tions were occasionally obtained in response to "trot ! ", 

 " gallop ! " " retreat ! ", (the usual introductory " squad- 

 ron " was purposely omitted here, because it alone suf- 

 ficed to start the horses). But the reactions were always 

 the same, viz., to start on a walk. Another series of 

 commands (such as those which are addressed to the 

 rider alone, e.g., "Lances down!") had no effect what- 

 ever; a certain amount of selection therefore did seem 

 to take place. In all these tests the order of the horses 

 with reference to each other's position was repeatedly 

 changed. One of the horses, the youngest, and reputed 

 to be the most " intelligent ", (he was as a matter of fact 

 the most spirited), gave evidence of,j_grggarious_ instinct, 

 intensified by habit, which, if it had been overlooked, 

 might have become a source of serious error. Not being 

 accustomed to go at the head^^adiea-se-pla^d it started 



