CHARACTER OF DOMESTIC VARIETIES 35 



tions under domestication, they would on an average vary as 

 largely as the parent species of our existing domesticated 

 productions have varied. 



In the case of most of our anciently domesticated animals 

 and plants, it is not possible to come to any definite con- 

 clusion, whether they are descended from one or several 

 wild species. The argument mainly relied on by those who 

 believe in the multiple origin of our domestic animals is, 

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

 of Egypt, and in the 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 ex- 

 isting. But this only throws far backwards the history of 

 civilisation, and shows that animals were domesticated at a 

 much earlier period than has hitherto been supposed. The 

 lake-inhabitants of Switzerland cultivated several kinds of 

 wheat and barley, the pea, the poppy for oil, and flax; and 

 they possessed several domesticated 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 civilisation ; and this again 

 implies a long continued previous period of less advanced 

 civilisation, 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 formations of many parts of 

 the world, all geologists believe that barbarian man existed 

 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 for ever 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 Canidc'c 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, con- 

 stitution, and structure of the humped Indian cattle, it is 



