MANtoo often looks upon the lower orclers as possessed of nothing but selfish instincts and impulses, and as being mored by nothing but animal appetites. He becomes a tyrant over them, and never for a moment dreams that they can comprehend his meanness and injustice. A little more of ol-rservalion would remove this impression. Who that has been in close contact with any class of animals but can call to mind instances of the exercise of gratitude, real benevolence and magnanimity, that would do

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... onor to the noblest human beings? This is not confined to domestic animals, nor can the euhibition of special traits be attributed to their association with n~a n . It is a truth no observer will deny, that some are quite incapable of affectionate impulses. They seem to have sufficient intelligence, but lilre some men they are utterly and entirely selfish, while others are even morose and vindictive. There is as distinct and characteristic an individuality in their natures as in that of human creatures. I t is an iuteresting exercise lo study these personal peculiarities even in r i l d animals, and to detect the human t r a~t s which distinguish each. Blrds that seek the conlpanionship of man exhibit a wide variation in indlviduality. It is not difficult to obtain the confidence and trusting faith of some robins, for instance, while others are ever suspicious and distrustful. I was once possessed of a comn~on red squirrel, that was caught when but a f e w days old, and had the most charming personal characteristics imaginable. I never saw in any human being a stronger and more marked individuality than this animal possessed. I t was as plar ful as a young kitten, and delighted in the attentions of anyone of whorn it was fond. I t u7as as affectionate axid as denlonstrat~re as ever I saw a young child. I t had withal a merry, playful mischievousness, that nrhile it was a t times vexatious, made it seeulalmost human. I t was allowed to run about the rooms a t will, and it found the niost constant delight in entangling a piece of knitting or other work, and, when detected, in attaining some inaccessible height, then indulging in a chuckling kind of chatter. The chesb table could never be set out with the animal at liberty, but that when the players became absorbed in the gameand had forgotten ail else, Jennie would suddenly alight upon the table, scattering rooks and pawns i n every direction, and instantly disappearing u p a curtain or into some nook in the book-cases. Tliis would be repeated as often as the players forgot their surroundings, until it became necessary to catch her and shut her u p in her cage. One could not lie down upon a couch, with a newspaper which he was reading held aloft over the head, hut that like a lightning flash Jennie would light upon the paper or boolr,and instantly scramble away to sorne safe place, ~v h e r e she 13-onld absolutely cl~uckle a t the success of the scheme. She never gnawed the furniture hut once, for she never forgot the punishnlent which this hrougllt. She was subject to likes and diclikes, and every \isitor who entered the room was carefully ecrutinized. If it was a l a~l y wllo n a s loolred upon ~vitl1 favor, her hair was pretty sure to bc pulled clo\~,n by the denloustrations of affection, and out of a seeming p m e love for good-natured mischief. If, on the other hand, the visitor was looked upon with distrust, he could never get near the animal. I t loved to fondle those ~~1 1 0 were its fnvorites, and exhibited the utmost affection for them. Indeed, its attentions sometitlles becanle too intrusive for comfort. One unlucky day an accident deprived poor Jennie of her life, and I obtained another, caught at quite as early an age, and always treated with the same kindness and care. I had expected another such charming pet, but there was no more similarity in disposition than there might be between two utterly diverse children. The second animal was morose, sullen, vindictive, in every way disagreeable. The first one would never under any circumstances attempt t3 bite, while the second was a t least always threatening it, and forever scolding and chattering, until at last I gladly gave it freedom in the woods and obtained a successor. Tliis one was unlike either of the others. I t was not playful or affectionate, nor was it perverse and churlish. I t was a con]plete exemplification of the miser, and it8 whole character was absorbed in its acquisitiveness. I t was ever hunting for nuts and other things which struclr its fancy, usually articles of food, which it carried arvag to a secret place in a closet. Occasionally these were taken out by some member of tbe family and placed i n another room, for the purpose of ~vatching the seeming exultation with which the squirrel made their discovery, ancl the enjoy~~lent it appeared to talre incarrying them away and again hitling them. I t would run back and forth with such extreme assiduity that it would tire itself out and drop panting upon the floor, only after a few moments' rest to recommence the taslr. If the newly-found treasure were suddenly removed during its absence, there would seem to be the most poignant disappointment. The animal would for a time search anxiously for the vanished wealth, and then in succession visit the members of the family who mere present, and seem to beseech its return, as if knowing that we were responsible for its loss. Tllere was never a moment during the day which was not spent in searching for something to add to its hidden possessions, or in arranging and rearranging its store. The animal, like some men, was so utterly absorbed in its avariciousness, that it had no time to devote to anything else. All affection was lost in its sordid nature. I t had no special dislike for or fear of human beings, yet i t sought solitude, apparently to enjoy the contemplation of its accumulations. It was unsocial, simply because of its covetousness. No human mind ever exhibited a meaner avaricioueness, or a more parsin~onious stinginess. I t would suffer for lack of food, rather than take one nut from its great possessions. Its most salient characteristics were so disagreeable to witness t,hat I finally gave the animal away, and after several other att'etnpts gave up in despair that attempt to find another such cheerful, engaging, affectionate, trusting pet as the first one, being fully convinced that such characteristics are as rare among squirrels as they are among men anid women. CURRENT NOTES ON ANTHROPOLOGY. -XXIX.