of Mammiferous Animals. 47 



Ii linger may acquire strength when the food increases the sen- 

 suality, in the same manner the influence of caresses may be ex* 

 tended when they more particularly flatter the senses. It is 

 thus that the gentle sounds of the voice add to the emotions 

 excited by the touch, and that these latter are increased by 

 touching the mammae. 



All domestic animals are not, by any means, equally accessi- 

 ble to the influence of caresses, as they are to the influence of 

 food, whenever they are pressed by hunger. The ruminantia 

 appear to be little affected by them ; the horse, on the contrary, 

 seems to relish them in a very high degree, as do many of the 

 pachydermata also, and especially the elephant. The cat is not 

 indiff\?rent to them ; it might even be said that it sometimes 

 seeks them with a sort of fury ; but it is without dispute in the 

 dog, that they produce the most marked effects ; and what de- 

 serves attention, is, that all the species of the genus which I 

 have had an opportunity of observing, are similarly affected by 

 them. There was once a she wolf in the Royal Menagerie, on 

 which the caresses of the hand and voice produced so powerful 

 an effect, that she seemed to experience an actual delirium, and 

 her joy was not less vividly expressed by her cries than by her 

 motions. A jackal, from Senegal, was affected precisely in the 

 same manner ; and a common fox was so strongly agitated, that it 

 became necessary to abstain from all such expressions of kindness 

 toward it, from a dread of the disagreeable consequences that 

 might follow. It is worthy of being remarked, that all the three 

 animals were females. 



I do not know whether I may put songs, or harmonious ipo- 

 dulations of the voice, among the number of artificial wants by 

 which the will of animals is captivated. It is well known that 

 the camel-leaders make use of it to slacken or accelerate the pro- 

 gress of the animals which they conduct. But is not this a mere 

 sign with vvhich the march of these animals is associated, as the 

 sound of the trumpet is with respect to horses, which are there- 

 by apprised that the lists are clear, and that they are to be let 

 loose .? I would be inclined to believe so, not knowing any fact 

 that could afford a contrary idea ; for what has been said of the 

 power of mu^c upon elephants, has been viewed with some pre- 

 judices ; at least, so far as my own observation extends, I am con- 



