A lower motive inspired the feeling. I wished for it only that I might bring it over the sea, to drop it like a new apple of discord, suited to the spirit of the times, among the anthropologists and evolutionists generally of this old and learned world. Inscribed, of course, "To the most learned," but giving no locality and no particulars. I wished to do that for the pleasure--not a very noble kind of pleasure, I allow--of witnessing from some safe hiding-place the stupendous strife that would have ensued--a battle more furious, lasting and fatal to many a brave knight of biology, than was ever yet fought over any bone or bony fragment or fabric ever picked up, including the celebrated cranium of the Neanderthal. APPENDIX. THE PUMA, OR LION OF AMERICA. The following passage occurs in an article on "The Naturalist in La Plata," by the late Professor Piomanes, which appeared in the _Nineteenth Century,_ May, 1893. After quoting the account of the puma's habits and character given in the book, the writer says:--"I have received corroboration touching all these points from a gentleman who, when walking alone and unarmed on the skirts of a forest, was greatly alarmed by a large puma coming out to meet him. Deeming it best not to stand, he advanced to meet the animal, which thereupon began to gambol around his feet and rub against his legs, after the manner of an affectionate cat. At first he thought these movements must have been preliminary to some peculiar mode of attack, and therefore he did not respond, but walked quietly on, until the puma suddenly desisted and re-entered the forest. This gentleman says that, until the publication of Mr. Hudson's book, he had always remained under the impression that that particular puma must have been insane." MUSIC AND DANCING IN NATURE.