x88i.J Analyses of Books, 291 
gives an instance where ants got at some sugar purposely placed 
in a vessel hung by a string from the transom of a window-frame, 
by running up the woodwork and down the string. Afterwards 
they entirely abandoned this tedious route, a few of their number 
entering the vessel and throwing the sugar down to their com- 
rades below. 
A dog, set to fetch two hats, has been known to pack one in- 
side the other. Such real fads prove Dr. Schiitz’s “ erste 
Thatsache ” to be a delusion. 
The author’s second fad is that “ Many animals surpass man 
by the prudence and sagacity of their adions. That this is the 
case, and that the animals concerned still remain below the level 
of the human understanding, is similarly to be explained on the 
hypothesis of animal instind.” This fad, in so far as it is a 
fad, and where it does not find its explanation in the superior 
delicacy of the outer senses which many of the lower animals 
are known to possess, is merely what we observe among indivi- 
dual men. A B may be far below C D in the general level of 
his intelligence, but yet in some particular sphere of adivity may 
far surpass him in foresight and sagacity. 
The third assertion is that “ The brute requires no instrudion.” 
This is simply incorred. ( See “Journal of Science,” vi., p.362). 
Old animals of every kind are more wary and cunning than 
young ones, as every close and conscientious observer can 
testify. 
The fourth fad is that “ The life of animals is non-progressive. 
How should an animal exceed the performances of its parents 
and forefathers, or fall short of them?” Here again we find 
palpable error. Had Dr. Schiitz been either an observer or even 
a careful reader he could not venture upon such an assertion. 
Mr. Wallace (“ Natural Seledion,” p. 227) shows that birds alter 
and improve their style of architedure according to circum- 
stances. Dr. C. Abbott informs us that the common sparrow, 
introduced into America from England, has learnt to construd 
warm and commodious roosting-nests for protedion in the severe 
winters. It is scarcely too much to say that this single fad 
suffices to overturn the theory of instind in the traditional sense 
of the term. 
Fifthly, and lastly, comes the assertion “ The brute has no 
language.” This also we must pronounce an error, as far as the 
higher animals are concerned. The instances where domestic 
animals have understood and aded upon remarks made by men, 
though such remarks had in them nothing of the nature of a 
command or a call which such creatures had been trained to 
obey, are numerous and perfedly authenticated. Now it is in- 
conceivable that a being totally devoid of language, and therefore 
unqualified and unaccustomed to receive definite communica- 
tions through any such channel, could understand the language 
of man. 
