ANIMAL MORALITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 27 December 1913, Page 2

ANIMAL MORALITY.

Dealing in a recent lecture with the six ethical commandments, Mr Ei-nest Tholmpson Seton jpointed out that in many animals the instinct of obedienoe was very noticeable. As for murder, he was amazed how little cannibalism there was among animals. They certainly killed otter speciesi of animals, but they did not attack their own kind, and Mr Seton suggested that there must be some deep-laid instinct which had been o'lsia-ved since the time when it wa.< necessary to .preserve the species.' TheJ could see quite clearly the broad principle of morality and purity - in the animal, world. Other things triumphed over the polygamous animal,, for while the young monogamous animal had two strong protectors, the polygamous animal had only one, and that the weaker. In the best special of animals monogamy had become union for life. There were more wolves to-day in America than there were twentyfive years ago, and that was largely due to the careful upbringing which the young received from their parents. The Canadian wild goose carried monogamy to a" very marked degree, for once it lost its mate it never took another. As to the four spiritual Commandments, Mr Seton could find no indication in the animal world oif any recognition of a superior being though lie quoted some cases -where; animals, had thrown themselves at the feet of human beings, apparently for protection.