i8o THE GROUNDWORK OF SCIENCE

ness, they possess consentience, for we cannot doubt that in

them, as in us, sensitive influences of different kinds are

received into one common sensorium. A tiger not only

hears the plaintive cries of its victim, but at the same time can

see and feel its writhing limbs, and taste and smell its blood.

Such sensations also, no doubt, call up within it more or

less distinct reminiscences of similar feelings previously ex-

perienced, and give rise to vivid emotions and to appropriate

actions.

But the irrationality of animals is shown by what, if they

were rational, would have to be called their exceeding stu-

pidity. Acts which would be reckoned as signs of extreme

obtuseness in us are common enough amongst animals usually

reckoned as the most intelligent. The fidelity of dogs is

proverbial, but in a sudden scuffle it is by no means an

unprecedented thing for a dog to fly at its own master.

Dogs have seen fuel put upon fires again and again, yet

what dog ever puts on any itself to maintain the heat it so

much enjoys ? Apes have been said sometimes to warm

themselves at deserted fires, yet no one asserts that they

have replenished them. It is quite wonderful they do not,

for such an act seems to come well within the scope of mere

sensuous faculties. Some readers may have had a pet cat

which has now and again got a piece of bone fixed between

its back teeth. The useless motions the animal, when so

circumstanced, will make with its paw are sufficiently ir-

rational ; but although the accident may have occurred to it

several times, it will act in the same way again and again,

and will sometimes stupidly struggle against its master while

he removes the object which distresses it, and, as soon as it

is removed, the animal will go off licking its jaws without a

sign of gratitude for the relief afforded.

Swallows will continue to build on a house which they can

see is being pulled down, and flies will deposit their eggs on

ness, they possess consentience, for we cannot doubt that in

them, as in us, sensitive influences of different kinds are

received into one common sensorium. A tiger not only

hears the plaintive cries of its victim, but at the same time can

see and feel its writhing limbs, and taste and smell its blood.

Such sensations also, no doubt, call up within it more or

less distinct reminiscences of similar feelings previously ex-

perienced, and give rise to vivid emotions and to appropriate

actions.

But the irrationality of animals is shown by what, if they

were rational, would have to be called their exceeding stu-

pidity. Acts which would be reckoned as signs of extreme

obtuseness in us are common enough amongst animals usually

reckoned as the most intelligent. The fidelity of dogs is

proverbial, but in a sudden scuffle it is by no means an

unprecedented thing for a dog to fly at its own master.

Dogs have seen fuel put upon fires again and again, yet

what dog ever puts on any itself to maintain the heat it so

much enjoys ? Apes have been said sometimes to warm

themselves at deserted fires, yet no one asserts that they

have replenished them. It is quite wonderful they do not,

for such an act seems to come well within the scope of mere

sensuous faculties. Some readers may have had a pet cat

which has now and again got a piece of bone fixed between

its back teeth. The useless motions the animal, when so

circumstanced, will make with its paw are sufficiently ir-

rational ; but although the accident may have occurred to it

several times, it will act in the same way again and again,

and will sometimes stupidly struggle against its master while

he removes the object which distresses it, and, as soon as it

is removed, the animal will go off licking its jaws without a

sign of gratitude for the relief afforded.

Swallows will continue to build on a house which they can

see is being pulled down, and flies will deposit their eggs on