Benevolence in Animals

Abstract

MR. GEO. J. ROMANES, in a lecture delivered in Manchester, March 12, 1879, on “Animal Intelligence,” points out the following emotions which resemble human intelligence as occurring in animals below the human species, namely: fear, affection, passionateness, pugnacity, jealousy, sympathy, pride, reverence, emulation, shame, hate, curiosity, revenge, cruelty, emotion of the ludicrous, and emotion of the beautiful, and gives some remarkable instances in support of his statement. To this I can add benevolence on the part of our household cat, who was observed to take out some fish bones from the house to the garden, and, bring followed, was seen to have placed them in front of a miserably thin and evidently hungry stranger cat, who was devouring them; not satisfied with that, our cat returned, procured a fresh supply, and repeated its charitable offer, which was apparently as gratefully accepted. This act of benevolence over, our cat returned to its customary dining-place, the scullery, and ate its own dinner off the remainder of the bones, no doubt with additional zest.