Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-11
Little Stories
of Animal Sagacity

Dogs possess a remarkable degree of in
stinct, sagacty OF understanding. In
Switzerland there are high mountains, the
tops Of which are always covered by snow.
Sometimes the snow falls from them sud-
denly 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 snow storm in search of travellers,
whom they frequently dig out of large
banks of snow and save their lives. says
Our Young People.
There are hunting dogs in Mexico which
assist in catching and killing deer. The
weight of the deer Is generally six times as
great as their own, so that If they should
attack them in front they might be Killed
have their backs broken. Instead of this
tSey attack them at the s.Ge or at the back.
and when the deer starts to run the dog
throws him over.
Some dogs VIII take basket and go
every day to market to get their dinner.
They can always find their master by
smelling his tracks along the ground. even
IF he is a great distance, and, IL possible,
will never leave him.
Elephants Are obedient.
Many interesting anecdotes are related
by different writers about the sagacity OF
the elephant. When tanned IT becomes the
most gentle and obedent of all animals.
1t can BE taught to kneel to have chariot
or any load put on its back which 1t car
ries easily. They sometimes exhibit shame
and ambition. They were formerly used to
assist in launching ships. A certain one
was employed to take a large vessel into
the water. but it was too heavy for him.
When his master saw that he was incapable
to perform his task ne said: Take away
the lazy beast and bring another The
creature heard this and made another eff
fort 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 en-
rloyed to throw fruit into his mouth, to
keep him in this position. but. as he fire.
Quently deceived him, he at last became
angry, and one day took some dirty water
in his trunk and threw it all over the paint
er's picture, If he knew that this was the
most effec;ual way by which he could vent
his spite.
A child that could not walk left to
the care of elephant; as soon as the
child crawled to the extent of the ele-
plants chain he would quietly lift it with
his trunk and replace it In the spot where
1t was frs, left.
Used on Battlefield.
Elephants formerly went to the battlefield
with the Burmans to help them carry on
Their war. When an extra task was to be
performed, some favorite dainty was held
out to the elephant before the time and he,
aS hot ha
warded made double exertions to earn it
and please his master.
The beaver is also a 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 huts They select
a SPOT in lake or river, and then gnaw
down the trees; and they always gnaw in
such n manner that the trees will fall into
the river They build their houses large
enough to contain from fifteen to thirty
beavers. Each cabin has two doors-one
on the side Of the land and one leading to
the water. SO that they can either go 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 him
self.
Habits of Monkeys.
Monkeys possess high degree Of instinct
and resemble man more than any other an
imal. The teeth and paws are 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 in
sects- They live together in companies,
and never go alone when they wish to rob
an orchard or find their food 1t seems as
IL they laid regular plans, for, as has been
remarked. part Of them stand to watch the
approach of enemies and part enter the
field They form a straight line, reaching
from those within to some place beyond
which Is retreat for them.
When they are all arranged in due order
those in the orchard. near the trees, throw
the fruit to those outside as fast as they
can gather 1t. These pass 1t over to those
nearest to them till the fruit is all nicely
lodged in their hut retreat. II the one
who acts as sentinel perceives any one
coming he makes loud noise and they
all run away; yet even then they will take
some fruit under each Of their arms or
forepaws. and also in their mouths. They
are mischievous animals and annoy tray-
elers exceedingly by throwing stones
and sticks at them, and they will
frequently follow them for some distance
when they are passing through the woods
by leaping from tree to tree. They are
capable of forming strong attachments
even with other animals. and they exhibit
mildness. affection and docility.