The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-04

The last number Of the Popular Science
Monthly contains an article on the survival
of instincts, which details some cruel and
apparently abnormal habits among domestic
animals, and traces them 70 early develop
ments of necessity BY repetition they
have acquired the force of instinct For
instance, gentleman living near Brooklyn
recently tethered turkey IN the field with
rope for the better protection Of her Young
brood. One day the turkey became entan-
gled in the cord and fell helpless upon the
ground. The other turkeys In the same
field with whom there had been constant
and friendly association heretofore. imme-
diately fell upon their disabled companion,
and commenced picking at her head and
eyes, evidently with the purpose Of killing
her. This occurrence led to oinquiry, which
elected the fact that such conduct was not
unusual among otherwise weIl-behayed tur-
keys, whenever one Of the flock became dis
abled and an easy victim to its companions
The same disposition, under similar clrcum-
stances, has been found among other domes-
ticated animals-cattle, swine and dogs.
Drovers of long experience testify that
whenever cattle are rapidly driven, and one
falls to the ground or exhibits signs Of weak
ness, it is not uncommon for tho rest Of tho
Long Island gentleman reports q case in
which this occurred in field where cattle
were peacefully grazing and another that a
cry Of distress is always signal for attack
on the part Of the strong, instead Of an in-
vitation for sympathy. The same propen-
sity has beens observed among swine.
In driving, in the pens, aud especially
in crowded cars, the weak are attacked by
the strong, and in some cases doVour as
well as killed. On one occasion, ar
hog had been slaughtered and eaten. elmer
meat was thrown to the survivors 10 est
whether hunger had tempted them 70 this
treachery, but it was not touched. fhis
seems to indicate that their cruelty was
prompted by some other instinct.
This propensity among dumb animals,
uniformly developed under certain condi-
ditions, is reasonably attributed to O sur
yival Of certain instincts from q former
wild condition, when such actions were
rendered necessary OF advisable as o means
Of self-preservation. This view Is con-
firmed by the fact that a similar disposition
has been noted among wild animals. Cuyier
says Of the white urns: tWhen one Of the
breed happens to be wounded, or IS en-
feebled by age OF Sickness the others set
upon il and gore il 20 death - Audubon
reports that Il is common among the Wild
turkey on their marches for the old males 70
destroy the immature Though the full grown
and vigorous birds arc not attacked. The
American bison desert the old. sick And
and disabled for the wolves fs feed on.
Wounded wolves are killed by their com.
rades. An instance Is cited In which one
Of number Of porpoises following a vessel
was wounded By pole hurled at Il from the
ship, when the others turned on & imme-
diately. The verifcati0n Of this habit
among 50 many different species gives 70 Il
the character Of instinct, which was oiei-
nally developed BY the law Of sell-pre erga-
tion. II became necessary at times % drive
behind OF destroy the feeble "a order 10
protect the majority when ANIMALS were
threatened or pursued By stronger animals
or by men, and this disposition has been
perpetuated and strengthened by transmits
sion from generation 70 goneFation
Darwinisis find some support Tor their
hypothesis Of g common origin 81 species
IN traces Of ike disposition among men.
Dir. Darwin himself mentions the pfaciic
common among North American Indians o.
leaving their fcliow-cumradee % perish On
the plains, aud the Fcjoo ielandeTs. who
bury their parents alive when they Qel old
and disabled. Like t51ilc are found among
other savage and seni-sayage people. But
Il Is not necessary 70 90 to The savage state
Of mans existence 70 discover them His-
tory shows simiiar dcscfLi0n and destrnc-
ton Of the weak that tie elfone may sur
riyc even ameng civilized nations At
Metz there Is bridge known ~ the Bridge
ol Death, nor from the terrible destruction
Of NE during wafs, but because thers Das
"a annual gathering here Of the infrm
and aged, by order Of the city aufhoTilie1.
after the helpless had thus nbls1.
charge was made npen them, and thor were
forced 70 jump into the lre1nl below. where
their struggles for life were met with poIt-
ing stones. EurIed Ct tlem 1y TIE Dop1Iacc
gathered elone the banks. The very ene
trait having its origin - tic 1-lne motive,
may thus b found Ia certain STAGES aucrF
men as ven ae among bIutee. "a tie mere
advanced stages o. ciFilizaii1u ii stiIi
s mental reflex 81 tiia e IcI lsnde1eg IA the
disposition. alfogct ser 100 frequent fo'I-
nized. 70 OppreN thosa who ha7e already
suffered Fegeees i - gcnfIIT known IS
the fcnde1cf - t,Kick Man when ~ =
down --an e1 0n which seems lo trace
similarity beeee1 tIis hnman tait end
fte animal instinct thsf 8 found q survive
among she turkeys. tAe cattle. ard tie
swine.