I ^4 < ] Canine Intelligence. ^ 
With regard to these we remain in a state of passive recep- 
tivity. In such cases the nervous disturbance transmitted 
down the afferent nerve is not passed on to the efferent 
bu J; allowed to diffuse itself in the brain ; and this 
dittusion of disturbance among nerve centres is, I believe 
the most important physical accompaniment of con- 
sciousness. 
We may say then, I think, in general, that the mental 
activity of the dog is chiefly, but by no means entirely, 
occupied _ in personal gratification, and that the personal 
gratification is chiefly, but by no means entirely, immediate. 
One more question I would ask and briefly answer before 
I conclude. Has the dog any notions of right and wrong ? 
Of course much depends upon the exadt sense in which these 
words are used. But I think that we shall feel disposed to 
give a negative answer when we remember that to perceive 
that an aft ion performed was wrong is by no means a simple 
process ; for we have mentally to compare it with an aftion 
which might have been performed, and if so performed 
would have been right. And yet we so frequently hear it 
said of the dog that “ he knows he’s done wrong” ! When, 
01 e ^. m P^ e ’ friend coming down into his drawing-room 
sees Tim’s guilty look, he suspefts that the dog has, con- 
trary to rule, been taking a nap on one of the chairs ; and 
his suspicions are not a little strengthened by the unnatural 
warmth of the easiest arm-chair. “ Ah ! Tim always knows 
when he has done wrong,” says my friend. To be exaft 
however, the association in Tim’s mind is in all probability 
a direft one between a nap on that chair and master’s dis- 
pleasure. What Tim knows is not that he has done wron°- 
which would involve more refleftion than he is capable oT 
but that he will “ catch it.” It is the expectation of a 
reproof, or something more, that gives rise to the look of 
con scious guilt.” In the same way I believe the look of 
conscious reftitude ” we often see in some dogs is due to 
the anticipation of a word of commendation ; and in general 
I fancy that the association in an animal’s mind is between 
the performance of a given a ft and the occurrence of certain 
consequences. When this association becomes definite it 
must, I imagine, draw after it a dislike of such aftions as 
have been accompanied by evil consequences, and a delight 
in those aftions which have been accompanied by pleasant 
consequences ; and eventually this dislike or delight is trans- 
ferred from his own actions to the similar aftions of others. 
Hence the cat punishes its kitten that steals; hence the 
baboon punishes another that performs an a eft which may 
