118 MEANS OP SUBJUGATING AMIMALS. 



portant of these, however, will be considered in subsequent parts 

 of this Treatise. 



103. The class Mammalia is also, of all the divisions of the 

 Animal Kingdom, that which interests us the most, on account 

 of the services which it renders to Man. Indeed, it is to this that 

 nearly all the domestic animals belong, the Dog, the Horse, 

 the Sheep, and the Cow, for example ; and every one is aware 

 how useful has been their subjection to us. Our dominion over 

 these beings is become so complete, that the primitive race, living 

 in a savage state, has in nearly every instance disappeared from 

 the globe ; and, by domestication, we are able to exercise a 

 considerable influence even upon the physical forms and moral 

 qualities of those individuals, which spring from the races that 

 are thus subjugated ( 13). But by what power can we thus 

 subjugate animals, and how, by domestication, can we modify 

 their forms and qualities? The instinct of these beings leads 

 them to fly from all which inspires them with distrust ; it is, 

 then, not by violence that we could compel a savage animal 

 to obedience. It would not naturally be disposed to approach us, 

 who are not of its own kind ; and, at the first feeling of fear 

 which we might cause it to experience, it would fly from us if it 

 were free, or would take a dislike to us if it were in captivity. 

 It is only by inspiring it with confidence, that we can attract it 

 and render it familiar ; and it is only by kindness that we can 

 give birth to confidence. 



104. To satisfy the natural wants of these animals, is one of 

 the first means of bringing them into submission. The custom 

 of receiving their food from our hand, by familiarising them with 

 us, also attaches them ; and, as the extent of a benefit is always 

 in proportion with the need which is felt for it, their gratitude is 

 also much greater and deeper, when the food that we give them 

 is become necessary to them. Thus hunger is in our hands a 

 powerful lever, to work upon all animals in captivity ; for at 

 the same time that it gives birth to affectionate sentiments, it 

 produces a physical weakening, which, by reacting upon the will, 

 weakeiif it in its turn. If, to the influence of hunger, we add 

 that of choicely-selected food, and especially if we flatter thei/ 



