The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-08
Criminals of Animal Land

same conditions. The same Is true of bears and rats. Tiny crocodiles often go the way of the arctic dogs, while rabbits apparently devour one another without a thought as to the plenty surrounding them Serpents are good cannibals and are frequently known to feast upon their bosom companions or mates. Matricide parricide, infanticide, and fraticide are features of animal cannibalism.
 Victims of lntoxicatIon.
 Tipplers among animals are not rare Abyssinian goats find the counterparts of bacchanalian feasts in the coffee bean fighting furiousiy when under Its influ- ence. Cows are intoxicated and madden ed by hempseed and opium, while bee topers find solace in the deliciously over powering aroma of the flowers whose sweets they seek. Ants have been chlor- oformed and thus completely paralyzed, with the exception of their tongues. Dogs and horses have been known to acquire confirmed taste for alcoholic liquors, while all domestic animals become fero- cious if fed habitually on flesh diet. Affairs of the heart are a fertile in- 1 spiration for feuds. which give rise to | frequent assaults and batteries or duels
 to the death. From the tiger to the dove,
 every animal when under the spell of the 1 tender flame, is ready to commit limitless
 excesses. The seal on his rockbound hab- l itation, with fifty or sixty battles with
 rivals ere he can install himself in his
 home with his brides, has a typical ex- l perience. When finally established in
 peace he often shows an eye gouged out,
 his ,hippers and blubber rent to shreds,
 and bloody gashes from tip to toe.
 Fight Because of Hatred.
 Personal antiquities for inexplcable reasons as rule among men cause life long unfairness and violence. This is particularly true of horses, dogs and monkeys, who will fight to the death those of their fellows for whom they have conceived some unaccountable dis like.
 Of the countless instances of the dis play of revengeful passions the elephant Is familiar illustration. The classic tailor who picked the elephant in the nose and was showered with water from the vast beasts convenient hose is one of many who have suffered that retri- button The dromedary, generally a pat err of meekness if leased beyond en- durance by its drivers. flies into a fury and compels them to escape for their lives ere he strips them of their cloth ing and tears and tramples them to pieces.
 In matters of self-control weather plays 1b tnconspicuous part. Wild crea- lures gre rendered the mercer by unusual heat, and all animals under its influence more easily fly into a passion. Novelties in the way of objects or sounds often drive them beside themselves. This is suggestive of similar conditions among savage people. A train sends a COW into conyulsions of fear or rage if she is un- | accustomed to the sight. An engine or any unwonted object drives horses and cattle into fright. It Is the same with sounds to which they are not habituated. The monkey that dresses himself in garb of paint is greeted by his bosom chums with suspicion and hostility. Rob, Knowing Their Sin. Some of the robbers bold of animaldom, l such as the fox and the rat, are only too | unwelcomely familiar to the world of | men. In Africa the monkeys sally forth | In joyous. stealthy stealing expeditions