Fear and Reaction
Dog-owners, -horse-owners and even bee-keepers know how fear transmits something to the animals or insects concerned. An animal that reacts sharply to a nervous approach is a ferret. The hand of a man lifting a ferret must be steady, and the movement smooth and sure. If it is not, he will find the ferret fixed to his finger and inflict- ing more than slight pain. With bees movement again seems to bring the reaction, although it may also be connected with glandular secretions. A nervous gesture.with the hand, a quick movement of the head, is all that is needed to make bees attack, particularly on a hot day or after they have been disturbed by a visit from someone inspecting the hive. Dogs and horses, however, do not always react to visible movement alone. Stare at a dog that does not know you and you create uneasiness. Stand still in darkness when a strange dog is about, and the same thing happens. Everyone who has ever ridden knows that nervous handling of a horse is inclined to make it jumpy. A calm approach produces a very different result. Some sort of telepathy or telegraphy operates, and the reaction is sympathetic.
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