270 SEXUAL selection: mammals. PartIL 



" harsh growl he drives her to a place in his harem. 

 '^ This continues until the lower row of harems is 

 " nearly full. Then the males higher up select the 

 " time when their more fortunate neighbours are off 

 " their guard to steal their wives. This they do by 

 " taking them in their mouths and lifting them over 

 " the heads of the other females, and carefully placing 

 " them in their own liarem, carrying them as cats do 

 *' their kittens. Those still higher up pursue the same 

 " method until the whole space is occupied. Frequently 

 " a struggle ensues between two males for the possession 

 *•' of the same female, and both seizing her at once pull 

 " her in two or terribly lacerate her with their teeth. 

 " When the space is all filled, the old male walks around 

 " complacently reviewing his famil}^, scolding those 

 *' who crowd or disturb the others, and fiercely drivinc: 

 " off all intruders. This surveillance always keeps him 

 " actively occupied." 



As so little is known about the courtship of animals in 

 a state of nature, I have endeavoured to discover how far 

 our domesticated quadrupeds evince any choice in their 

 unions. Dogs offer the best opportunity for observation, 

 as they are carefully attended to and well understood. 

 Many breeders have expressed a strong opinion on this 

 head. Thus Mr. Mavhew remarks, " The females are 

 "able to bestow their affections; and tender recollec- 

 " tions are as potent over them as they are known to 

 " be in other cases, where higher animals are con- 

 " cerned. Bitches are not always prudent in their 

 " loves, but are apt to fling themselves away on curs 

 . " of low degree. If reared with a companion of vulgar 

 " appearance, there often springs up betw^een the pair a 

 " devotion wdiich no time can afterwards subdue. The 

 " passion, for such it really is, becomes of a more than 

 " romantic endurance." Mr. Mayhew, who attended 



