Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-05-03
SENSE IN ANIMALS.
Esthetlc Taste Manifested By the Lowe


Acsthetlc Taste Manifested lily the Lower
Orders.
DIR. Wilks reduces the chief difference
between man and brute to the small
ness of knowledge of the fine arts pos
scssed by the latter" Herbart enumer-
ates the advantages possessed by man
as hands, speech and long and help
less infancy, to the use and influence of
which are due the extraordinary growth
of the human brain in size and COM
plexity and the corresponding develop
ment of intellectual power.
In the acuteness of his senses and in
many peculiarities of physical structure
man is inferior to some of the lower
animals. The teeth of man are prilni-
tive; his sense of smell is less keen than
that of the dog; the eagle has a far bet
ter eye; the ankle joint of the sheep is
a finer piece of mechanism than the
corresponding joint in man; the horses
foot has springiness and swiftness OF
motion beyond the reach of the human
plantigrade. Whatever elasticity man
possesses is due to the uplifting in
fuence of his intellect Mans helpless
infancy is matched by the helpless
young of many tribes of monkeys.
The fact that quadrumana have flex.
ible organs of prehension gives them
great advantage over quadrupeds "A
dog may be as intelligent as chin
panzee, but he is unable to "show off
as well. This manual and digital dex-
terity can scarcely be over-estimated as
a means of disciplining the mind and
increasing the volume of the brain. 1t
is absurd to attribute the actions of
some species of monkeys to unthinkiug
imitation. 1t initiates, but with dis
erection and Judgment
The hand is also a valuable instru.
ment for the cultivation of the aesthetic
sense, but there are creatures without
hands that show an appreciation of the
beautiful Birds take pleasure in sweet
sounds and in brilliant colors, and COM
petitions in beauty and song are fire.
quent among them The decided and
discriminating sense or preference for
bright and variegated objects displayed
by the bower bird evinces no small
amount of aesthetic taste. The objects
used are often brought from a great
distance, and of no possible use save to
crafty the birds love for the beautiful
The singing of birds implies certain
appreciation of melody. They listen
with attention and initiate the strains
which take their fancy. Some species
of monkeys get up concerts of their
own in the depths of the forest. Dogs
also discriminate between tunes and
express their preferences or aversions
in an unmistakable manner. Many in
cidents might be cited.
The fertilization of many plants de-
ponds upon the existence of sense Of
color in insects and the exercise of choice
in the selection of flowers. This prefer.
ence implies pleasure in certain hues,
and consequently the rudimentary per.
ception of beauty.
The power of distinguishing co1ol
has been denied to the lower races. Of
man, but this conclusion is incorrect.
1t has been asserted that the Assyrians
had no word in their language fol
green, blue, or yellow, but the tiles dis
| covered at Nineveh prove that they had
| a very clear conception of color
The religious sentiment also is fore
| Swallowed family in the lower animals
| in their being amenable to rewards ant
1 punishmeuts. "a dog crouches at hi
I masters feet to obtain pardon for {
! fault" and also in alteration. 'Ani
1 mails fly to man for protection, as be
| lever does to his Cod
Dogs have been known to posses
| superstitious fear. An instance is cite(
| proving the exercise of close observa
ton, Judgment, reason, imagination
and of superstitious fear. Animals ar
afraid of darkness, thunder, lightning
and other phenomena. 1t is common
belief that many animals see ghosts, a
| well as future events. The ghos
stories told of dogs and horses are quit
as numerous and as well authenticate
as those which have been told of men
The essence of religion is mystery. N
mystery can be scientifically explained
Popular Science Monthly.