1884.] 
173 
Analyses of Books. 
which in some cases may amount to 33 per cent of their selling- 
price ? Secondly, why should post-masters be empowered to 
keep back copy and proofs, passing per book-post between editors 
authors, and printers, until the next mail ? 
The “ Character of Dogs ” is a sign of the times. What shall 
we say to the following eruption ? — “ Yet more idle, and if pos- 
sible more unintelligent, has been the attitude of his express 
detractors : those who are very fond of dogs, ‘ but in their proper 
place ’ ; who say ‘ Poo’ fellow, poo’ fellow,’ and are themselves 
far poorer ; who whet the knife of the vivisedtionist, or heat his 
oven (!) ; who are not ashamed to admire ‘the creature’s instindt,’ 
and, flying far beyond folly, have dared to resuscitate the theory 
of animal machines.” 
We are not fond of dogs in any place ; we do not say “ Poo’ 
fellow,” nor do we accept the dodtrine of “ instindt ” — in the 
conventional sense of the term. Neither are we converts to the 
theory of automatism, which if applicable to the lower animals 
must be extended to man also. But what of those who do not 
scruple to reproduce, in passing, the exaggerations and the per- 
versions of the anti-vivisedtionist ? They, we fear, are the 
poorest of all ! 
The following passage, however, is worth thinking over with 
care : — “ It is beyond a doubt to me that, somehow or other, the 
dog connedts together, or confounds, the uneasiness of sickness 
and the consciousness of guilt. To the pains of the body he 
often adds the tortures of the conscience, and at these times his 
haggard protestations form, in regard to the human death-bed, a 
dreadful parody or parallel.” We have heard it suggested that 
some of the higher animals have “ a dim perception of the last 
great change,” and with Mr. Romanes (see “ Journal of Science,” 
1876, p. 145) we hold that they evince some rudiments of a moral 
sense. But the author of the article before us has gone so far 
that it would be interesting to know upon what fadts his opinion 
is founded. 
“The Humming Bird’s Relatives ” is a clever, dashing paper, 
in which a small portion of scientific truth is displayed to the 
best advantage, much as the author once remarked concerning 
the colouration of the “ morning glory.” 
Longman's Magazine. No. XVI. February, 1884. London : 
Longmans and Co. 
This number contains nothing which falls within our com- 
petence, 
