124 SPECIAL EXPRESSIONS: Chap. V. 



are likewise common to the aboriginal parents of the 

 dog, namely the wolf and jackal; and some of them to 

 other species of the same group. Tamed wolves and 

 jackals, when caressed by their masters, jump about for 

 joy, wag their tails, lower their ears, lick their master's 

 hands, crouch down, and even throw themselves on the 

 ground belly upwards. 4 I have seen a rather fox-like 

 African jackal, from the Gaboon, depress its ears when 

 caressed. Wolves and jackals, when frightened, certain- 

 ly tuck in their tails; and a tamed jackal has been de- 

 scribed as careering round his master in circles and fig- 

 ures of eight, like a dog, with his tail between his legs. 



It has been stated 5 that foxes, however tame, never 

 display any of the above expressive movements; but 

 this is not strictly accurate. Many years ago I observed 

 in the Zoological Gardens, and recorded the fact at the 

 time, that a very tame English fox, when caressed by 

 the keeper, wagged its tail, depressed its ears, and then 

 threw itself on the ground, belly upwards. The black 

 fox of North America likewise depressed its ears in a 

 slight degree. But I believe that foxes never lick the 

 hands of their masters, and I have been assured that 

 when frightened they never tuck in their tails. If the 

 explanation which I have given of the expression of 

 affection in dogs be admitted, then it would appear that 

 animals which have never been domesticated — namely 

 wolves, jackals, and even foxes — have nevertheless ac- 



4 Many particulars are given by Gueldenstadt in his 

 account of the jackal in Nov. Comm. Acad. Sc. Imp. 

 Petrop. 1775, torn. xx. p. 449. See also another excellent 

 account of the manners of this animal and of its play, in 

 ' Land and Water,' October, 1869. Lieut. Annesley, R. A., 

 has also communicated to me some particulars with re- 

 spect to the jackal. I have made many inquiries about 

 wolves and jackals in the Zoological Gardens, and have 

 observed them for myself. 



6 ' Land and Water,' November 6, 1869. 



