Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-05

IF white rat. bright dog and a
six-year-old child were to be given
the same intelligence test at the
same time, which one would come
out with the laurels? Scientists
have not essayed such a contest as
vet. but the records made by various
animal species In recent lnteHlgenCe
tests seem to indicate that there are
many children who might De worSCeo
in the competition.
One matter where 1t seems certain
that animals have the edge on human
beings Is In this matter Of learning
NV experience. There Is proverb
which states that the burnt child shuns
the flame. But actually We all know
that this is not invariably the case:
There are those of us humans who Will
trot back time after time for a new
burn, unexpectedly speaking. ap..
parently none the wiser because OF
previous unpleasant experiences.
able animal intelligence and such Is
not the case. DR.. Lucien H. Warner.
assistant professor of animal psychol.
ogy at Columbia University, has tested
the intelligence of white rats, dogs.
doves. oockroaches and other small
creatures and finds that even fsh learn
bv experience in time-and fish have
generally been considered the morons
of the world.
A German shepherd dog called
Fellow. belonging to Jacob Herbert OF
Detroit. was given an intelligence test
recently before one of DR.. Warmers
classes at Columbia. The dog is only
four years old, but he responded easily
and correctly to nearly 800 different
commands of some intricacy. requiring
many different associations Of ideas.
At first it was thought that the dogs
associations might be aided by geS-
lures made by his master: but when
Mr.. Herbert gave his directions from
behind q closed door his dog was able
To carry them out quite as ethciently
as before. When directed by his mas
ter to obey the commands OF other
people. he performed equally well
The dog was able to differentiate Gig
arettes from a group OF four packages.
His master told him not to allow any
one to touch a certain woman IN the
classroom and then proceeded himself
to touch the woman. The dog inter-
fered promptly.
Il seemed clear to the Columbia pro-
fessors and students who watched the
dogs performance that in his canine
mind he had lodged an amazing number
of very definite associations between OBJ
iects and word sounds: that is. the dog
had done what children must do when
they learn TO talk.
The dog tested had such excellent
control Of his muscles that he could be
taught practically any motion. The
professors believed that he could easily
be taught to drive q car, so perfect was
his understanding of commands.
According to those who observed the
dog, very few children Of years. or
even 8 years. would be able TO carry out
SO many commands with such profi-
cheney. and certainly could not master
the mechanical intricacies Of driving an
automobile.
81 have never made special studies
of the attainments Of young children"
said DR.. Warner, but think every
one viii agree that the dogs accom-
plishments show remarkable ability TO
learn by experience. As dogs 60. Fellow
is Just about 100 per cent. and imagine
that he could measure up favorably In
competition with children Of his age
and perhaps older"
Many scientists have made expert
ments to determine whether or not Ger
tain animals have the ability to learn
by experience.
Prof Norman Triplett Of the Kansas
State Normal School set out to learn
whether fish, q creature low on the
evolutionary scale could learn to con-
troll its natural desire to dine upon small