72 NATURE NOTES. 
crow, the monkey, the ass and the cow, influence, and even form part of the life 
of the people. This peculiar relation between man and beast may be traced to 
two reasons principally ; we exclude the influence of the belief in transmigration, 
according to which an Indian looks upon a bull not simply as a bull, but as “a 
potential grandfatber,” for tbe belief does not obtain extensively. The two chief 
reasons are, first, the precepts of the Hindu religion, which make certain animals 
sacrosanct, and give them so far an equality with men ; and secondly, the indis- 
pensable usefulness of certain animals to men for the support of human life. 
These two factors occasionally give rise to opposite tendencies ; where com- 
promise between the two is impossible, religion generally yields to necessity. 
Sacrosanct oxen have a hard time of it when yoked to a cart. But the much- 
abused cart driver is not breaking the law, for though “ elaborate damnations are 
ordained by Brahminical authority against cow killing,” no provisions are made 
for ill-treatment short of death. It is indeed a mistake to suppose that the 
precepts of the Hindu religion have brought about that system of kindness. 
A RUSTIC KRISHNA. 
towards animals which we advocate in these latter d.ays. But the Hindu is not, 
as a rule wantonly cruel. “ ^'iIlage boys are not there seen stoning frogs, or 
setting dogs at cats, nor tying kettles to dogs’ tails, and it has not been found 
necessary to forbid bird nesting by Act of Parliament.” 
Birds indeed are well off in India. Many of them are sacred, and therefore a 
nuisance. The sparrow is the type of a thing of naught, an intrusive feathered 
fly to be brushed aside, but on no account to be harmed. The crow, too, is 
privileged, but he scarcely needs protection, for he is endowed by nature with an 
alertness and cunning which enables him to pursue a career of “ variegated crime ” 
with impunity’. But the sacrosanct of the feathered tribe, however much of a 
nuisance they may be. are harmless when compared with the four-footed creatures 
equally privileged. The monkey, who is protected by a grateful people for the 
