precaution; and the method has received the credit of a success that
has nothing to do with it. In order to test the method properly, it
should have been tried on a full-grown Cat, a genuine Tom.

I did in the end get the evidence which I wanted on this point.
Intelligent and trustworthy people, not given to jumping to
conclusions, have told me that they have tried the trick of the
swinging bag to keep Cats from returning to their homes. None of them
succeeded when the animal was full-grown. Though carried to a great
distance, into another house, and subjected to a conscientious series
of revolutions, the Cat always came back. I have in mind more
particularly a destroyer of the Goldfish in a fountain, who, when
transported from Serignan to Piolenc, according to the time-honoured
method, returned to his fish; who, when carried into the mountain and
left in the woods, returned once more. The bag and the swinging round
proved of no avail; and the miscreant had to be put to death. I have
verified a fair number of similar instances, all under most favourable
conditions. The evidence is unanimous: the revolving motion never
keeps the adult Cat from returning home. The popular belief, which I
found so seductive at first, is a country prejudice, based upon
imperfect observation. We must, therefore, abandon Darwin's idea when
trying to explain the homing of the Cat as well as of the Mason-bee.


CHAPTER 6. THE RED ANTS.

The Pigeon transported for hundreds of miles is able to find his way
back to his Dove-cot; the Swallow, returning from his winter quarters
in Africa, crosses the sea and once more takes possession of the old
nest. What guides them on these long journeys? Is it sight? An