The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-30

In order TO avoid misunderstanding with
regard TO anything that may be said in
these notes respecting some more eAcep
tlonal mental processes exhibited by IN
ferior animals, it should be explained that
the view taken OF these incidents is strictly
scientific. There is only one kind OF mind
in nature whether it be found among mer
or beasts. intelligence differs very greatly
SO far as absolute amount and grade Of
development go: but the same intelli-
gence exists in all creatures, and differ
ences between them relate to degree alone
lnStinct-if it means neutrality-suspicious.
organized habits actions OF all varle-
ties are performed so frequently that they
have become automatic and unconscious.
OF course, this fitness OF mind or body
is transmitted by descent; equally, oil
course. the lives OF lower forms being less
complicated, and their adjustment to sur
roundingS fewer those connections which
become established, will be, in the main,
more perfect than average relations OF the
same orders among human types.
On the other hand there IS Il perpetual
liability TO variation from average com
pletenesS of structure and faculty in all
creatures, and also very considerable DIS
PARTIES OF general fitness between species
of the same genus and individuals Oh the
same group. Moreover, there can be no
doubt that such difTerentiations are brought
about by causes identical with those which
produce like results among mankind.
Percentage, personal aptitude, and oppor-
tunity for improvement play their parts IN
the history OF a brute not less effectually
than they do in existence at its highest
degree of development.
Individual endowments display them
selves most conspicuouSly when the con
ditions under which an animal is suddenly
placed are new, when there is pressing
need to originate actions intended to over
come unexpected difficulties or counteract
| unforeseen dangers.
For example, q Himalayan bear, wander
| ing about on the lower slopes OF those
great mountains, and, generally speaking,
ready to fight without much prOvOcat1on,
| may blunder into a monkey or musk deer
| trap. This is never anything like strong
enough to hold him, and commonly the
only result is that bruin goes of leaving
| the machine in ruins.
But not always, by any means. More
| feeble minded specimens are at once para
lyzed by discovering that they are caught,
and sit there uttering imbecile lamenta-
tons until somebody comes and knocks
them in the head A grizzly or an Ameri-
can black bear on the contrary, never gives
up without doing his utmost to break
away. If the machine is movable he drags
it, and in some cases has been known to
take the chain attached to a trap weight in
his teeth, so that retreat might not be
hampered by its catching between trees or
rocks.
Still more remarkable is the behavior Of
some foxes when entrapped. Most OF them
make use OF every device for escape, and
do not give up while any effort remains
untried. But when their first furry and
confusion OF mind is over, more highly
endowed individuals take in the situation
completely; and being fully aware that
there is only one sure means for extrica-
ton, this timid though cruel creature has
fortitude and good sense enough to gnaw
its own foot Off
It is not so strange as it appears to be at
first sight that an animal capable of thus
appreciating its only chance, and taking
that chance at such cruel cost, should act
with absolute thought lessness in other in
stances.
boring wood where Reynard lives snugIy
ensconsed in some comfortable burrow,
the season Winter, and light, soft snow
on the ground. Now this most aStute ma
rauder has fully informed himself about
the poultry, knows where it rOosts, whether
there are any dogs, and what may be his
chances for feloniouS appropriation. He
carries as good a map of the vicinity in his
head as man-eating tiger does of that
region in which his own more tragic deeds
are done-and it would be impossible to
say more than this Of any creatures topO-
graphical proficiency.
Then it happens on a night that the fox
goes forth to carry out those nefarious de-
signs that have long been premeditated.
He takes every precaution cunning can
suggest: for retribution is kept fully in
view. His trail is almost inextricably con-
fused by doublings; by breaks where the
sagacious creature has turned to account
each advantage surface features afford; he
viii leap aside, walk on top of walls or
fences, climb slipping trees and Jump far
away from his former tacks, wade in
water, and traverse empty fox earths, max
ing entrance and exit by different holes.
But alas for all this skill and foresight