One of the most interesting results of this study
of the direction of turning, from the observer’s
point of view, is the demonstration of the fact that
the truth concerning even so simple a matter as this
can be discovered only by long and careful observation.
The casual observer of the dancer gets an impression
that it turns to the left more often than to the right;
he verifies his observation a few times and then asserts
with confidence that such is the truth about turning.
That such a method of getting knowledge of the behavior
of the animal is worse than valueless is clear in
the light of the results of the systematic observations
which have just been reported. But, however important
the progress which we may have made by means of systematic
observation of the phenomenon of turning, it must
not for one moment be supposed that the whole truth
has been discovered. Continued observation will
undoubtedly reveal other important facts concerning
circling, whirling, and the periodicity of dancing,
not to mention the inheritance of peculiarities of
dancing and the significance of the various forms
of activity.
CHAPTER IV
BEHAVIOR: EQUILIBRATION AND DIZZINESS
Quite as interesting and important as the general
facts of behavior which we have been considering are
the results of experimental tests of the dancer’s
ability to maintain its position under unusual spatial
conditions—to climb, cross narrow bridges,
balance itself on high places. Because of its
tendency to circle and whirl, to dart hither and thither
rapidly and apparently without control of its movements,
the study of the mouse’s ability to perform
movements which demand accurate and delicate muscular
cooerdination, and to control its expressions of activity,
are of peculiar scientific interest.
That observers do not entirely agree as to the facts
in this field is apparent from the following comparison
of the statements made by Cyon and Zoth (31 p. 174).
Cyon states that the dancer
Cannot run in a straight line,
Cannot turn in a narrow space,
Cannot run backward,
Cannot run up an incline,
Cannot move about safely when above the ground, because
of
fear and visual dizziness,
Can hear certain tones.
Zoth, on the contrary, maintains that the animal
Can run in a straight line for at least 20 cm.,
Can and repeatedly does turn in a narrow space,
Can run backward, for he has observed it do so,
Can run up an incline unless the surface is too smooth
for it to
gain a foothold,
Can move about safely when above the ground, and gives
no
signs of fear or dizziness,
Cannot hear, or at least gives no signs of sensitiveness
to sounds.
Copyrights
The Dancing Mouse from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
