48 M. F. Cuvier on the Domesiicatimi 



vinced that such is the general impression. It would be curious^ 

 however, to enquire on what foundation this association rests, 

 and what relations exist between sound and the hearing of mam- 

 miferous animals, whose voice is so limited as to variation and 

 harmony. 



It is not, however, sufficient that the means of attachment aU 

 ways precede the acts of docility which are required ; they must 

 also succeed them. Constraint prudently employed does not 

 remain foreign to these acts; and it might be injurious if con- 

 tinued too long. Caresses or dainties make this effect instantly 

 cease ; calmness and confidence are renewed, and quickly weak- 

 en, if they do not efface, the traces of fear. 



As soon as confidence is obtained and familiarity established ; 

 as soon as, by good treatment, habit has rendered the society of 

 men indispensable to the animal, our authority may be enforced^ 

 and we may employ constraint, and apply chastisement. But 

 our means of correction are limited ; they are confined to blows, 

 accompanied with precautions necessary to prevent the animals 

 from escaping ; and they produce but a single effect, which con- 

 sists in transforming the feeling, whose manifestation it is neces- 

 sary to repress, into that of fear. From the association which 

 results, the first of these feehngs is weakened, and sometimes at 

 length entirely destroyed, even in the bud. But the application 

 of force ought never to be without limits, for its excess produces 

 two contrary effects, it either intimidates, or excites hatred. Fear, 

 in fact, may be carried to the point of disturbing all the other 

 faculties. A naturally timid horse, imprudently corrected, and 

 entirely absorbed by his fright, no longer perceives even the 

 gulf into which he precipitates himself with his rider ; and the 

 spaniel, so adapted by its intelligence to the chace, and so obe- 

 dient to the voice of his master, is converted into an undecided, 

 wild, or trembling animal, when a severity without bounds has 

 presided over its education. With regard to resistance, it al- 

 ways commences on the part of the animal, at the point where 

 our authority passes beyond the limits which time and habit had 

 imposed upon its obedience. These limits vary with respect to 

 each species, and to each individual ; and the moment they are 

 passed, the instinct of preservation re-awakens, and at the same 

 time the will manifests itself with all its force and independence. 



