660 
CULTIVATION OF THE CANINE BKAIN. 
Philax was ordered to bring a piece of meat and give it to Brae, 
and then Brae was to give it back to Philax, who was to return 
it to its place. Philax was next told he might bring a piece of 
bread and eat it ; but before he had time to swallow, his master 
forbade him, and directed him to shew that he had not dis- 
obeyed, and the dog instantly placed the crust between his lips. 
While many of these feats were being performed, M. Leonard 
snapped a whip violently, to prove that the animals were so 
completely under discipline that they would not heed any inter- 
ruption. 
After many other performances, evincing the wonderful saga- 
city and perception of the dogs, M. Leonard invited the writer to 
play a game of dominos with one of them. The younger and 
slighter animal then seated himself on a chair at the table, and 
the writer and M. Leonard placed themselves opposite. Six do- 
minos were placed on their edges in the usual manner before the 
dog, and a like number before the writer. The dog having a 
double number took it up in his mouth, and put it in the middle 
of the table ; the writer placed a corresponding piece on one side ; 
the dog immediately played another correctly, and so on until all 
the pieces were engaged. Other six dominos were given to each, 
and the writer intentionally placed a wrong number. The dog 
looked surprised , stared very earnestly at the writer , and at length 
growled , and finally barked angrily. Finding that no notice was 
taken of his remonstrances, he pushed away the wrong domino 
with his nose , and took up a suitable one from his own pieces and 
placed it in its stead! The writer then played correctly ; the dog- 
followed, and won the game. Not the slightest intimation could 
have been given by M. Leonard to the dog; his play must have 
been entirely the result of his own observation and judgment. 
There was no trickery, no mesmerism here. It should be added, 
that the performances were strictly private; no gratuity was al- 
lowed even to the servant. M. Leonard is a gentleman of inde- 
pendent fortune, and the instruction of his dogs has been taken 
up merely as a curious and amusing investigation. 
Lancet. 
