16 CHARACTERS OF DOMESTIC VARIETIES. 



believe in the multiple origin of onr domestic animals is, 

 that we find in the most ancient times, on the monuments 

 of Egypt, and in tlie lake-habitations of Switzerland, 

 much diversity in the breeds ; and that some of these 

 ancient breeds closely resemble, or are even identical with, 

 those still existing. But this only throws far backward 

 the history of civilization, and shows that animals were 

 domesticated at a much earlier period than has hitherto 

 been supposed. The lake-inhabitants of Switzerland cul- 

 tivated several kinds of wheat and barley, the pea, the 

 poppy for oil and flax ; and they possessed several domesti- 

 cated animals. They also carried on commerce with other 

 nations. All this clearly shows, as Heer has remarked, 

 that they had at this early age progressed considerably in 

 civilization ; and this again implies a long continued pre- 

 vious period of less advanced civilization, during which the 

 domesticated animals, kept by different tribes in different 

 districts, might have varied and given rise to distinct races. 

 Since the discovery of flint tools in the superficial forma- 

 tions of many parts of the world, all geologists believe that 

 barbarian men exsisted at an enormously remote period ; 

 and we know that at the present day there is hardly a tribe 

 so barbarous as not to have domesticated at least the dog. 

 The origin of most of our domestic animals will prob- 

 ably forever remain vague. But I may here state that, 

 looking to the domestic dogs of the whole world, I have, 

 after a laborious collection of all known facts, come to the 

 conclusion that several wild species of Canidse have been 

 tamed, and that their blood, in some cases mingled 

 together, flows in the veins of our domestic breeds. In 

 regard to sheep and goats I can form no decided opinion. 

 From facts communicated to me by Mr. Blyth, on the 

 habits, voice, constitution and structure of the humped 

 Indian cattle, it is almost certain that thev are descended 

 from a different aboriginal stock from our European cattle ; 

 and some competent judges believe that these latter have 

 had two or three wild progenitors, whether or not these 

 deserve to be called species. This conclusion, as well as 

 that of the specific distinction between the humped and 

 common cattle, may, indeed, be looked upon as establislied 

 by the admirable researches of Professor Kiitimeyer. With 

 respect to horses, from reasons which I cannot here give, I 



