1838. HOUSE— No. 72. 11 



controlling influence, and changes especially the color of the external 

 integuments, though the flexihility or accommodating powers of their 

 constitutions, is probahly much less than that of man. The flexibility 

 of the constitution of the whole genus bos, is by no means small. 

 By the fostering care of man, the domestic ox can accommodate him- 

 self to any climate. Without this care, the Bos Urus, the Aurochs of 

 France and Germany, the Bison of the ancients, has been an inhabi- 

 tant of nearly the whole of Europe. It is now to be found in the 

 Caucasus, where are still the royal tiger and the panther ; in Poland, 

 in the forest of Bialowicza, with the wolverine, the Ursus gulo of 

 Lin. and on the coast of Tenasserim, having for its companions the 

 elephant and rhinoceros. 



In a domestic state, treatment does much either to improve or 

 injure the condition of an individual. Its influence may be seen in 

 the body and disposition, independently of the amount of food it re- 

 ceives. One that has kind treatment, and is caressed by its owner, 

 hardly ever fails of being in a good condition, while, on the other 

 hand, one that is beaten and fears its owner, and flies from his pres- 

 ence, is, most generally, in a bad condition, and is not of half the 

 value of the former. 



Hence, in addition to the dictates of humanity, interest should 

 compel us to treat the ox and other domestic animals with kindness, 

 as, without this, a farmer must necessarily fail in all attempts at the 

 improvement of his stock. 



When first brought under the dominion of man, and subjugated to 

 the yoke, something like harshness is necessary, till the individual is 

 subdued. This, if followed by kindness, will make obedience more 

 certain ; it will secure a good understanding between the parties. 

 The subjugation will be considered, in the first place, as a matter of 

 right by the weaker party ; it meets with the same trials in a state of 

 nature, and is therefore no infraction of a law of nature, or trespass 

 on the bounds of justice, for experience has taught it harsher lessons, 

 while roaming its native plains and woodlands. When, however, it 

 has submitted to the yoke of servitude, acts of kindness only can 

 secure a devotion to our interest ; if our treatment is marked with 

 cruelty, it rouses a spirit of revenge, or breaks it down to a state of 



