REMARKABLE MEMORY IN A DOG.

Western Star, Issue 977, 29 August 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

REMARKABLE MEMORY IN A DOG.

Professor Bouley, of Paris, gives the following remarkable instance of memory in animals. A watch-dog belonging to the General Omnibus Company, named Jupiter, was alwayß spok«n of as a " ferocious" animal, its instincts and habits being exceptionally savage and sullen. Only one of the • men ever ventured within his reach. The dog one day got a kick from an omnibus horse, which broke its front leg. The bandage which was applied was tied too tight, and caused inflammation which threatened to turn to gangrene. As it was suffering intense pain it was taken to M. Vatel, a veterinary surgeon, and M. Bouley applied an anaesthetic of ether before it underwent an operation by M. Yatel. About a month afterwards, M. Bouley had occasion to accompany M. Vatel to the omnibus establishment at Montrouge, of which place he was the veterinary surgeon. The moment Jupiter saw M. Bouley he manifested the most demonstrative signs of pleasure. All present were astonished when M. Bouley patted his head, while the poor dog showed unmistakeable signs of recognition and sympathy. M. Bouley remarks: that the singular point' in the affair was the-very short time which he had been en rapport with the dog, the application of the ether being effected in a few moments. The intensity of the pain at the time, and the sudden relief, must have made the deepest impression on the suffering aud we know that the memory -of such impressions iB the most vivid, "That brief moment," says M. Bouley, " sufficed to fix in the brain of the dog the impression of my personality, •whether conveyed by sight or by scent, and the association of ideas reproduced, a month afterwards, the feeling of pleasure and of gratitude which had | been experienced on the relief of the oevere pain by the anaesthetic." — Leisure Hour.