The National tribune., 1898-02-03
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There is no such thing as system OF
analogies TO be found in nature. The way
in which living and lifelesS eNiStenceS
haze become what they are precludeS that
possibility. Those anomalous traits OF m
ferior animals with respect 10 avoiding
danger and at The same time INJECTING
injury which have been spoken OF afford
striking examples of this truth
Physical power, mental capacity, or
ganic adaptation TO a peaceful or predatory
life do not seem To be involved necessarily
i'm these kinds of action. The tercest
creatures, species that live ny DlooGShed,
make no effort towards combinations OF
this nature; or at least none so obvious
that their design is manifest, and Ii TINS
he supposed 10 result from The fact that
they have no need, that nothing prompts
such conduct, facts negative the demurrer
at once.
II Goes not admit of doubt that through
out vast areas lions and tigers are sub
iected To like perlS with rhiroceroseS ard
b5ffaloeS In several geographical provinces
the former have failed in their struggle Tor
life and almost everywhere they would
lie materially benefited by any additional
means for dense or reprisal.
Revenge Nevertheless, is SO widespread
n feeling among inferior animals as 10
:ppcar inSeparab!e frcm he instinct of
self preservation. Hence their failure to
carry ii out more completely III case OF
numerous forms physically capable OF
doing SO. and otherwise wei qualified to
protect themselves, Is an anomaly which
cannot be explained. FROM first tn last
everything having animal life, and living
on anything. else similarly NItalIEcc, does
so upon condition OF knowing lis habits
and character.
II circumstances change-if. as continu-
aliy happens. there Is Il change OF Place
and new sl1rrountlings-the forms able Ia
adjust their actions to the altered environ
ment survive, while those who are nm
plastic inevitably pass away.
Capturing prey, and cNadlng capture,
are in many respects The most significant
features which species can display; ard 10
Aay that these methods depend upon con
formation, and the dispositions with which
sec fic systems ol structure are aSso-
ciated, IL only To account for portion
OF the truth The limbs 81 eats are not
formed for running, and aS d rule none OF
the Felide give chase. They 81 II hunt or
ambuscade prey, and their lnoces Of selZ-
ing il are direct results Of structure. Eut
anatomical traits VII not go far towards
explaining why lion r0aTs with his mouth
close 10 the ground. thus Giffusing these
tremendous sounds SO that game, while
terrified, are unable To tell from what dI
rection ihey come, and may easily ap
their panic.
Similarly. the special character of his
locomotive apparatus has no obvious con
nection with Il tiger = occasional practice
of rounding up deer into confused ara
helpless huddie by rearing in various
quarters at shorl intervals. 1t is an effect
i've measure upon his part; tat the act
means much more Than that q tigers legs
are short and Ec cannot nun far.
In like manner, wolves and Wild dogs,
the most tireless in pursuit of all predatory
beasts, rum down a sambur stag or buck
nilgila. becauSe-to use Il Stereotyped
phrase-it is natural for them To do so; or,
in other words, they are developed so as To
chase prey successfully. That method OF
getting provision, however, only involves
certain relatively simple correspondence
between mind and body.
On the other hand, take some extensive
range OF wooded and broken country where,
instead Of running by scent or sight until
their prey sCccumbs TO exhaustion, these
creatures practice complicated series OF