The dominant theory at the time was that children learned through constant, close contact with their mothers. Lilly wanted to apply the same idea to dolphins.
So for 10 weeks, he had a young female research associate live with a dolphin named Peter. They lived together on a partially flooded house so that they could both move around freely.
They were constantly interacting with each other: Sleeping, eating, working and playing together. As time passed, it was obvious that Peter didn't want a mom, but a girlfriend.
He started nibbling at Margaret's feet and legs. When she didn't reciprocate, Peter got violent and started hitting Margaret with his nose and flippers.
Eventually, he changed his tactic. He would rub her teeth up and down her leg and show off his genitals. This strategy worked and Margaret began rubbing the dolphin's erection. He then became more cooperative.
Dr. Lilly was not satisfied. He didn't want the greatest interspecies breakthrough to be a handy, so he decided to try something else. Margaret and Peter started doing LSD together. Although Margaret said they had 'very good trips' together, Lilly's reputation deteriorated and he lost all his funding.
