: : Tolkien differentiated between the speaking beasts and the higher orders by calling the latter Rational Incarnates (meaning they possessed living spirits sent by Iluvatar). The Rational Incarnates were, IIRC, the Elves, Men (and Hobbits), Dwarves, Ents, Eagles, and Orcs (and some Trolls). The Valar and Maiar were the Self-Incarnated.

: I re-read my post and this one three times, and I just can't figure out what the point is to this. The information is solid and worthy of note, but I can't see how it relates to the discussion. Perhaps I am just being dense, which is why I am posting this to ask (and certainly not facisiouly).

: -RR
I am sorry I didn't mean to insult you. I was just responding to your mention intelligent foxes. I don't think he was any more or less intelligent than farmer Maggots dogs. People take everything so literally. I contend that animals in middle earth were not intelligent. That is all I am saying