182 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



common jackal, which is suspected to be one of the 

 dog's ancestors. To finish what I have to say on 

 this exceedingly obscure question, I will add a few 

 words concerning a second, species. 



" There is found in the mountains of Abyssinia a 

 jackal with very slender body, an arched abdomen, 

 long and narrow head, long, upward-curling tail 

 in short, a veritable greyhound in every respect 

 except that it has erect instead of drooping ears. 

 Everything induces belief that this jackal is the pro- 

 genitor of our greyhound. 



' * I will end with this conclusion of one of our most 

 learned masters on the origin of domestic animals : 

 * Existing in great numbers in Asia, where, history 

 tells us, the dog was first domesticated, jackals com- 

 monly live within reach of human habitations, to 

 which they sometimes make their way of their own 

 accord. They are eminently sociable, are easily 

 tamed, and become attached to their masters. They 

 associate freely with the dog. Finally, and this trait 

 dispels -my last lingering doubt as to their kinship, 

 they resemble in the highest degree, both in shape 

 and in color, and even in voice where they have 

 learned to bark, the least modified of the canine spe- 

 cies. In several countries the resemblance between 

 jackals and dogs is so striking that it has led all trav- 

 elers who have had an opportunity to compare these 

 animals on the spot to the same conclusion : the jackal 

 and the dog represent respectively the parent stock 

 and the scion, and are to be found reunited again in 

 various parts of Asia and Africa.' " 



