, 1877-01-28
ANIMAL NATURE.
The Results Of Some Study by
Bayard Taylor
Capacity of Animals to Understand
Human Speech.
Their Powers Of Thought, and Posses
sion Of Moral Sense.
Interesting Anecdotes Of nippopotami, Dogs, Chin.
panzees, Horses, Birds, Toads;
and Tortoises.

INTERESTING aAeca0leS 0l ulppopotaill, Doss, tAM
panzees, Horses, Birds, Toads;
| and Tortoises.
Animals have much more capacity to under
stand human speech than is generally supposed
The Hindoos invariably talk to their ele
plants, and it is amazing how mucl
the latter comprehend. The Arabs govern
their camefs with few cries, and my associate:
in the African desert were always amused when
ever addressed remark to the big droncdarJ
rho was my property for two months; yet, al
| tho end OF that time, the beast evidently knew
the meaning OF q number OF simple sentences
Some years ago, seeing the hippopotanus ii
Barnun's Museum looking very stolid and de
| jected, spoke to him in English but be die
not even move his eyes. Then I went to the
opposite corner Of the cage, and said In Arabic,
~ know you, come here to me!'' HI
Instantly turned his head towards me;
repeated the words, and thcreupon be
came to the corner where was standing, pressed
his huge, ungain1y head against the bars Of the
cage, and looked in my face with touching dc
light while strokcd his muzzle. / have two OF
three times found a lion who recognized the
same language, and the expression Of his eyes,
for IN instant, seemed positively human.
I know Of nothing more moving, indeed semi
tragic, than the yearning helplessness in the
face OF a dog who understands what is said to
him and cannot answer. We often hear it said
that no animal can endure the steady gaze Of
| the human eye; but
THIS Is SUPERSTITION.
An intelligent dog or horse not only. en-
dures, but lores it. The eve Of q
beast is restless from natural habit, but
hardly more so than that Of savage man.
Cats, birds, and many other animals seek,
rather than avoid, friendly human eye. It is
possible that tigers may have been turned away
By au unlinching gaze, but I suspect the secret
lay IN the surprise Of the beast at so unusual an
experience rather than in direct intimidation.
Thieves arc said to have the belief that dog.
for the same reason, will not attack a naked
| man; but l do not remember any account of
burglary where they have tried the experiment.
Cattle, however. are easily surprised. Once, in
1910, on the Salinas Plains in California, es-
capped exactly the same onset OF q vast herd of
wild cattle Mr. Hartc describes IN his "Gabrie1
Conroy," by sitting down upon the ground.
They were so unaccustomed to seeing man,
except on horseback, that the position was au
absolute bcwildermcnt to them. The foremost
halted within 100 feet, formed line as regularly
rs filc Of soldiers, and stared stupdly, until
team, luckily approaching Mt the right time, re-
leased 1ne from my hazardous situation.
Few persons are aware OF
THE GREAT EFFECT
Which quiet speech exercises upon the most saw
age dog. A distinguished English poet told me
that he was once walking in the country with
Canon Kingsley, when they passed a lodge
where an immense and fierce mastiff, confined
by long chain, rushed out upon them. They
we're just beyond his reach, but the chain did not
seem secure. The poet would have hurried past,
but ki=gslev, laying hand upon his arm, said,
swat moment, and sec me sublnc hlnlsn
Thereupon ho walked up to the dog, who, erect
upon his hind feet, with open jaws aud glaring
eyes, was the embodiment OF animal Jury:
Kingsley lifted his hand, and quietly said, ''You
are wrong! You hare made I mistake: YOU must
go back to your kcnnel.' The dog sank down
upon his fore-feet, but still growled angrily; tue
Canon repeated his words III firm voice, ad-
yaEcing step By step as the dog gave way. Tic
continued speaking grave reprouf, as TO a human
being, until he had forced the mastifT back into
his kennel, where the latter silently, and per-
haps rcnorsctully, lay down.
/. l cannot low till whether remembered this
story, or acted simply from sudden instinct,
VERY SIMILAR CASE.
was in San Francisco, and went to call upon a
gentleman Of ny r. acquaintance, who lived upon
Rincon Point. The house stood a little distance
back from the street, in beautiful garden. I
walked up between clumps Of myrtle aud fu-
chsia to tue door, r,ant rang the bell. Instead Of
answer, thcrc Was savage oay; q giant dog
sprang around tne corner Of the house, and
rushed at me with every sign Of furious attack
laced nun, STOOD stu, and said: ~ am q
friend OF Mr.. -, and have come to visit him.
You must not suppose that mean any
harm. ! shall wait to sec if the bell is
answered; you may stay, anu watch me- mn
not afraid Of you.' The animal paused, lis
tened inttntty, but was evidently not entirely
CONVINCED; he still groWled' and showed his
teeth in rather an alarming manner. Then
said: ~ shall ring once more; it there is no
answer, shall 60 away" He followed me- up |
the steps to the door, glarcd tiercey while |
rang, and would undoubtedly hare dashed at |
my throat had made suspicious gesture. AS |
no ono came to tile door, finally said; :. see
there is nobody At home, SO shall so as told |
you would" His growing ceased; side By !
side we went down the walk. and when had
closed the gatc he turned away with single |
digniflcd wave Of the tail, which understood |
as 4 |
COMBINED APOLOGY ASD FAREWELL.
Brehm, the German naturalist. gives very
curious account OF a chmpanzce at the Zooloei- /
cal Garden in Hamburg. lie satisfied himself /