142 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 



newer stone period a dog existed, probably the oldest of 

 which we have any record. It partook of the character of 

 our hounds and setters or spaniels, and in the formation 

 of its scull was equally remote from the wolf and from the 

 jackal. This dog, too, like its Danish contemporary, was 

 succeeded in the bronze period by a larger variety. Thus 

 we see that when our ancestors were living in the dens 

 and caves of the earth the dog was systematically kept and 

 selected, that is, any good varieties which appeared were 

 noted and kept up. 



When the savage was driven to feed upon his dogs in 

 times of dearth he was naturally more willing to sacrifice 

 the least intelligent and affectionate of them, and would 

 delay killing the best dogs as long as possible. In this 

 way for ages a careful, though unintended, process of 

 selection was applied to those animals, and to this we may 

 attribute the great intellectual and physical development 

 which has taken place among them. 



The dog has contributed in various ways to the civiliza- 

 tion of man ; he has done so by calling forth sympathy 

 and kindness towards the lower animals, the dog being 

 the first creature which was domesticated and made the 

 captive and friend of man for the sake of companionship 

 rather than profit. As time went on, however, the dog 

 was serviceable to man by helping him in the chase, and 

 so enabling him to procure a larger quantity of game in a 

 shorter time than by himself: and so man had more 

 leisure for other pursuits. Also the dog was useful as a 

 guard over the dwelling and property of his master, and 

 later on, when man acquired flocks and herds, the dog 

 protected them ; and in some countries he was used to 

 draw sledges. 



The opportunity to advance beyond the state of the 

 early savages depends very much upon men possessing 

 animals which can be domesticated and used as beasts of 



