heir cultivation. Two pointers, Braque and Philax, had been the
especial objects of his instruction, and their intellectual capacities
had been excited in an extraordinary degree. A writer in the "Atlas"
newspaper thus speaks of the exhibition of these animals:--M.
Leonard's dogs are not merely clever, well-taught animals, which, by
dint of practice, can pick up a particular letter, or can, by a sort
of instinct, indicate a number which may be asked for; they call into
action powers which, if not strictly intellectual, approximate very
closely to reason. For instance, they exert memory. Four pieces of
paper were placed upon the floor, which the company numbered
indiscriminately, 2, 4, 6, 8. The numbers were named but once, and yet
the dogs were able to pick up any one of them at command, although
they were not placed in regular order. The numbers were then changed,
with a similar result. Again, different objects were placed upon the
floor, and when a similar thing--say a glove--was exhibited, one or
other of the animals picked it up immediately. The dogs distinguish
colours, and, in short, appear to understand everything that is said
to them.

The dog Braque plays a game of dominoes with any one who likes. We are
aware that this has been done before; but when it is considered that
it is necessary to distinguish the number of spots, it must be
admitted that this requires the exercise of a power little inferior to
reason. The dog sits on the chair with the dominoes before him, and
when his adversary plays, he scans each of his dominoes with an air of
attention and gravity which is perfectly marvellous. When he could not
match the domino played, he became restless and shook his head, and
gave other indications of his inability to do so. No human being
could have paid more attention. The dog seemed to watch the game with
deep interest, and what is more, he won.

Another point strongly indicative of the close approach to the
reasoning powers, was the exactness with which the dogs obeyed an
understood signal. It was agreed that when three blows were struck
upon a chair, Philax should do what was requested; and when five were
given, that the task should devolve on Braque. This arrangement was
strictly adhered to. We do not intend to follow the various proofs
which were afforded of the intelligence of the dogs; it is sufficient
to say that a multiplicity of directions given to them were obeyed
implicitly, and that they appear