Du Chaillu on Animal Foresight
PAUL DU CHAILLU is a noted explorer, and the author of several books. The latest of his books is “Animals of the Great African Forest.” And after all this, he sets forth the sage announcement that, “from close observation and persistent study, I have arrived at the conclusion that animals, birds, reptiles, ants, spiders, etc., possess powers of great apprehension and prevision as to the future, and that creatures of the same species have common understanding together, either by voice signs or other ways unknown to man.” That close observation and persistent study should be required on the part of anybody to arrive at such a conclusion as that is powerfully suggestive of phenomenal dullness or of something less creditable.