398 AGRICULTURE. 



the natural law of the "survival of the fittest." 

 Among cattle those animals capable not only of 

 protecting themselves in battle, but of destroy- 

 ing the enemy, which might be weaker animals 

 of their kind or of a different kind, were the 

 survivors and remained to reproduce them- 

 selves. 



Those individuals not able to withstand the 

 hardships of a severe climate either starved, 

 froze or were killed by their stronger brothers, 

 who fought with them to obtain the available 

 food. The buffalo, with heavy head, neck, 

 strong fore-quarters and muscular but light 

 hind-quarters, has this conformation ; because it 

 permits of greater strength and agility, he is 

 able to destroy his enemy and to move about 

 to obtain food. 



Artificial Selection is the mating of animals 

 controlled and directed by men. By careful 

 study great breeders have developed our 

 modern breeds of live stock. They have 

 created types which were most efficient in 

 particular lines of production and, in fact, have 

 changed the form and function of many of our 

 domestic animals. 



VI. Primary Functions of Animals. 



It will thus be seen that the laws of nature 

 are at the very basis of all life. The first 

 function of animals is self-preservation. For 



