24 DOMESTICATED ANIMALS 



sedentary milk-making machines, and has deprived the bulls 

 of the greater part of their ancient savage humor. Owing to 

 this change in the quality of their associates in captivity the 

 dogs have also been led into great variations. The same 

 type of interaction may be traced again and again in the 

 isolated part of the world enclosed within our fences, as well 

 as in the free realm of the wildernesses. All the individuals 

 in the great host of life affect each other as do the soldiers 

 of a well-organized army in the movements of a battle. 



The shepherd-dog, the turnspit, and the bull-dog are the 

 three remarkable variations of the canine blood which were 

 brought about by a process of training and selection uncon- 

 sciously directed to the institution of breeds suited to special 

 economic ends. The other varieties of dogs have been 

 shaped more distinctly for purposes of amusement or for the 

 indulgence, of mere fancy. The several varieties of hounds, 

 harriers, beagles, pointers, setters, terriers, etc., have been 

 designed to meet a dozen or more variations in the con- 

 ditions of the chase. The marvellously complete way in 

 which special peculiarities have been developed in mind and 

 body makes this field of domestic culture the most fascinating 

 subject of inquiry to the naturalist. The ordinary fox-hound 

 has had his inheritances determined so as to fit him for pur- 

 suing a small animal which can rarely be kept in view during 

 its flight, and which can only be followed by the odor it 

 leaves in its trail, so these creatures run almost altogether 

 under guidance of their sense of smell. The stag-hound, on 

 the other hand, pursues a relatively large animal which can- 

 not well be followed by the nose, at least with any speed ; 

 they therefore trust almost altogether to vision in their chase. 

 The packs which hunt otters have developed the swimming 



