10 DR. EMMONS' REPORT. April, 



activity. Tlie proportion of food, also, necessary to sustain large 

 corporate powers, is disproportioned to the final value of its parts. 



All species of animals have a certain stature to which they usually 

 attain. If they increase much beyond its limits, a loss of power is 

 the consequence ; it is the result of disease, rather than healthy ac- 

 tion ; of morbid growth, rather than the natural deposition of healthy 

 organic matter. If, again, on the other hand, they fall greatly under 

 the natural size, the loss of power and value is no less than in the 

 former case. Disease and an early death are the consequence in 

 each case. The point to be attained or sought for then, is, that size 

 or bulk which belongs to the original conformation. Nature has lim- 

 ited improvements beyond this, and to attempt to pass over these 

 bounds will defeat our own intentions. While on the subject of 

 domestication, it may be interesting to inquire, what are the animals 

 which were designed for this state ? To this we may answer gene- 

 rally, that they are those which are social, or which live in families, 

 or seek their prey or obtain their sustenance by concerted move- 

 ments. Observation goes far to establish this position, and besides 

 these, are reasons drawn from the laws of their minds, if the expres- 

 sion may be allowed. 



In a state of nature, all those who associate in this way, ac- 

 knowledge a head or chieftain ; their movements are governed by 

 his, and his wishes they understand. There is a mutual compact for 

 the time being : but the leader or chieftain maintains his place and 

 authority by physical strength, and the class or family is ready to obey 

 a new master, when the former is conquered in combat. This pre- 

 pares the way for adopting man as his master, when he finds himself 

 in his power, and is able to reward his obedience or punish his trans- 

 gressions. 



In domestication, therefore, there is but a change of masters. 

 There is no infraction of a law of nature in the process, but rather a 

 conformity to one in force in the wilds of the forest. These remarks 

 are applicable to the elephant, dog, horse and ox : they have become 

 the companions of man, and give to his commands implicit obedi- 

 ence. They are truly social animals. 



Animals, like man, are also the creatures of habit. Circumstances 

 modify their physical frame and constitution ; climate produces a 



