18 Phrenology and Animal Psychology . (January, 
in the chase and clear hedges and ditches in a style little in 
keeping with their usual sobriety of demeanour. 
Wit is another of the sentiments assumed as peculiar to 
man. Of course, as we do not understand the language of 
any of the lower animals we cannot show that they indulge 
in humorous remarks. But it may be fairly assumed that a 
sense of the ridiculous, a comprehension of the nature of 
ridicule are causally connected with the sentiment of wit, so 
that where the former are present the latter cannot be 
altogether absent. Now certain animals are sensitive to 
ridicule and are greatly annoyed and offended if laughed at. 
That this is the case with dogs many persons know from 
their own observations. For the benefit of others I quote 
an instance narrated by Mr. G. J. Romanes, in “Nature,” 
May 27th, 1875. A certain terrier “ used to be very fond of 
catching flies upon the window-panes, and if ridiculed when 
unsuccessful was very much annoyed. On one occasion, in 
order to see what he would do, I purposely laughed im- 
moderately every time he failed. It so happened that he 
did so several times in succession — partly, I believe, in con- 
sequence of my laughing — and evidently he became so much 
distressed that he positively pretended to catch the fly.” 
It may here, of course, be contended that dogs by constant 
companionship with man, may have acquired feelings or 
sentiments not natural to the lower animals. To this 
objection I give my usual reply ; if circumstances can create 
in a dog or other animal some sentiment entirely new, then 
the presence or absence of any mental feature is utterly 
inadequate to establish a distinction of kind between man 
and beast. But the same feeling is shown by monkeys, 
born in a wild condition and existing as man’s captives 
rather than as his companions. This faCt throws a strong 
light into the recesses of brute nature. A baboon to be 
annoyed at ridicule must understand human gestures, play 
of features, and tones of voice ; and, more than this, he 
must be himself capable of finding the conduct, appearance, 
&c., of other beings ridiculous. How else should he com- 
prehend the very nature of derision ? 
I turn next to ideality — that fondness for beauty which in 
man comes to light in phases so various ; from the craving 
of the savage for beads and feathers to the love for sublime 
scenery, for painting, sculpture, and poetry among the lead- 
ing races. Do brutes appreciate ornament ? Beyond all 
doubt ; horses and elephants value their trappings and grow 
sulky if these are removed. 
The phrenologists have, I believe, attempted to refer these 
