Mature. Can Animals Reason.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1860, 7 June 1884, Page 6

Mature. Can Animals Reason.

The question, "Can animals reason?" has often been asserted in the affirmative, as often denied, and is yet unsettled. Thero seems to be little doubt, however, that the most intelligent animals do possess some reasoning powers, and not a few remarkable incidents have been related of the sagacity of somo of the domestic animals. A well known gentleman of this city gives the following account of the cunning strategy of a puppy to obtain a good dinner at the expense of a party of cats. The cats consisted of a mother with a family of four sturdy kits, all possessing to an unusual degree of fierceness an intense antipathy for the canine race. The cats are regularly given a substantial meal of meat and other appetizing viands, to which, it is needless to say, puppy is not an invited guest. Any approaches on his part were warned off with savage growls and a liberal display of claws— so for a time the poor dog looked on and enjoyed a sort of Barmicidal feast. But, when the other day the cats had a finer dinner',than customary, puppy _ carefully considered the matter and determined to make a bold move and secure his share of the coverted victuals. Accordingly he approached to a safe distance and then executed, with great rapidity, a flank movement upon the enemy, and backing suddenly in among the surprised cats, seized a portion of the meat, and, as only his rear end was presented to the foe, made off with the spoils without serious damage. Twice pup

repeated the operation, and, although the somewhat demoralised cats made a vigorous attack upon him, his strategy saved him. Thtta he secured a good meal by his ingenuity, and the cats no longer object to his company daring meal hours. — Los Angelas Herald.