DO ANIMALS REASON?
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."J SIR,—May I add one to the instances of reason in animals now appearing in the Spectator ? On my island ranche I had a young Jersey bull and a young donkey (stallion). These two ran together, and fought and played in turn. The donkey bullied the bull, whose tail he would grip in his teeth, holding on like a terrier, and though I have seen the bull throw the donkey, he never horned him. The bull grew dangerous, and had to be tethered, but was always breaking loose in an unaccountable manner. One day my wife and an English guest, having driven the donkey, let him loose, remaining in the stable to watch him. He went straight to the tethered bull and appeared to confer with him, and then, taking the picket in his teeth, drew it out. They then went off together, the bull dragging his rope. This did not seem satisfactory, and the two ladies saw the beasts apparently rubbing noses. When this operation was over the rope had been gnawed through by the donkey and the bull was free. The bull had to be shot for breaking my man's ribs, and the donkey sold for killing sheep. He used to run them and bite like a dog.—I am, Sir, &e.,
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