Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-16
ANIMAL SAGACITY.
Remarkable Degree Of Instinct Pos
sessed BY Different Animals.

| SSSSeQ ny plHerent Animals.
| Dogs possess Il remarkable degree OF
instinct, sagacity or understanding. In
| switzerland there are high mountains
the tops of which are always covered
by snow Sometimes the snow falls
| from them suddenly in such large
masses that houses and travellers are
| buried.
At the convent among the mountains
| called the st. Bernard the monks keep
a particular kind of dog which they
send out after a snowstOrm in search
| of travellers. whom they frequently dig
| out of large banks of snow and save
| their lives. says Our Young People.
There arc hunting dogs i'll Mexico
which assist in catching and killing
deer. The weight Of the deer is gen
orally six times a. great as their own.
SO that if they should attack them in
front they might be killed or have
their backs broken. Instead of this
they attack them at the side or at the
BACK, and when the deer starts to run
the dog throws him over.
Some dogs will take a basket and 60
every day to market to get their din
nor. They can always find their mas
ter by smelling his tracks along the
ground, even if he is at a great dis
lance, and. if possible, will never leave
him.
Many interesting anecdotes are re-
lated by different writer's about the
sagacity Of the elephant. When tanned
it becomes the most gentle and obedient
of all animals. 1t can be taught to
kneel to have a chariot or any load put
on its hack. which it carries easily.
They sometimes exhibit shame and am
bition. They were formerly used to
assist in launching ships. A certain
one was employed to take a large YES
sci into the water, but it was too heavy
for him. When his master saw that he
was incapable to perform his task he
said: "1ake away the lazy beast and
bring another" The creature heard
this and made another effort, but broke
his skull and died on the spot.
An artist in France wished to paint
the elephant with his trunk raised in
the air and his mouth open. SO a boy
was employed to throw fruit into his
mouth. to keep him in this position,
but, as he frequently deceived him, he
at last became angry. and one day took
some dirty water in his trunk and
threw it all over the painters picture.
as if he knew that this was the most
effectual way by which he could vent
his spite.
A child that could not walk was left
to the care of an elephant: as soon as
the child Crawlcd to the extent of the
elephants chain he would quietly lift it
with his trunk and replace it in the
spot where it was first left.
Elephants formerly went to the bat
tl"ficld with the Burmans to help them
carry on their war. When an extra
task was to be performed. some IA
vOrite dainty was held out to the Gle
plant before the time, and he, as if
aware that his success would be re-
wardcd. made double cxcrtions to earn
it and please his master.
TIC beaver is also 4 very remarkable
animal. In countries where they
abound they gather together in large
companies and in the summer make
excursions into the woods to choose the
trees they wish to use in building their
h':t= They select q spot in a lake or
river. and then Gnaw down the trees;
anG they always gnaw in such a man
nor that the trees will fall into the
enough to contain from fifteen to thirty
beavers. Each cabin has two doors
one on the side of the land and one
lea'linS to the water, so that they can
either so ashore or swim in the water
they plaster their cabins with strong
cement Of mud. using their fiat tails to
smooth it. Their houses are very
strongly built, and can resist strong
winds and currents in the streams
Sometimes they have paths under the
ground, where they can retreat when
any danger approaches.
\ certain pony would open the latch
Of the stable door and raise the lid of
the corn crib, which he learned to do
himself.
Monkeys possess a high degree Of in
StiLct and resemble man more than
any other animal. The teeth and paws
arc very much like our teeth, hands
and feet. In their wild state they live
in the woods. on the trees. and feed on
fruits. leaves and insects. They live
together in companies, and never go
alone when they wish to rob an orchard
OF find their food. 1t seems as if thew
iald regular plans, for, as has been
remarked, part Of them stand to watch
the approach of enemies and part enter
tn" field. They form a straight line
reaching from those within to some
place beyond which is a retreat for
them.
When they are all arranged in due
order those in the orchard, near tha
trees, throw the fruit to those outside