that it so often gives an entirely different reply
to that which is expected of it--it may even say something that is
quite unknown to the person carrying out the experiment. Many such
examples will be found in this book, as well as in that of Frau Dr.
Moekel, while many more could be furnished by the owners of other
"Spelling Dogs." Indeed, the more reckoning and spelling dogs there are
the sooner will the value of this new method become generally
recognized and the easier will it be to rid the truth of any errors
that may still obscure it. Here in Stuttgart my Lectures delivered on
the subject have so far led to the training of four dogs in counting as
well as spelling, this having been done with best results. In addition
to these, I myself have a dog, "Ava," by name a daughter of Lola, who
is already proficient in both accomplishments. There is nothing
mysterious about this new animal psychology that has been brought into
evidence by the method here explained, it is no secret, but at the
service of all who care to explore what is entirely free ground--not
reserved for the learned alone, but at the disposal of any
animal-lover, if he will but co-operate in a spirit of patience and
devotion, and is endowed with the particular "gift" for teaching an
animal. The truth under discussion here is not likely to be find
elucidation in the study of the learned man--rather will it be the
result of the collective, convergent and corresponding evidence brought
together by the labours of many a patient investigator.

STUTTGART

_September_, 1919

[27] Karl Krall, "Denkende Tiere, Beitraege zur Tierseelenkunde,
auf Grund eigener Versuche," Leipzig, Engelmann, 1912.

[28] Rolf could only rap with one paw owing to the other fore-paw
having been injured; he generally leaves out the vowels, these
being already contained within the consonants. This habit gives
rise to a somewhat curious form of writing.

NOTE

There are in all now twelve dogs known to communicate by means of
"raps." The experiences I have had with my own dog have been
reported by me in the article entitled "Respecting a Dog's Memory,"
and appeared in the "Zoologischen Anzeiger," 1919, No. 11-13. The
name of my dog "Awa" is quite intentionally put together, as Lola
has herself "invented" all the names given to her progeny.

"THINKING" ANIMALS

A CRITICAL DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENTS FROM 1914