322 Transactions of the American Institute. 



scourge of the lash, which thej know will inevitahly follow their 

 capture. Fear makes cowards of men, but worse cowards of horses. 

 The only true and successful method of controlling the animal king- 

 dom is by the exercise of kind measures. That monster of gigantic 

 strength, the elephant, may be led by an infajit with a string, if tenderly 

 solicited. Even the lion likes to be petted, and that is the time to 

 handle his paws. These observations have no reference to reptile life. 

 Our knowledge of the influence that might be acquired over formidable 

 serpents, crocodiles and other saurians is of a limited character. 

 The history of all ages, however, justifies the opinion that if they are 

 ever made obedient to the commands of man, it must be brought 

 about by good treatment, as under ordinary intercourse with them 

 they invariably assume a defensive attitude. A gentleman in New 

 York is the possessor of a thousand-dollar horse, whose organ of 

 approbativeness is so prominently active he can be coaxed, but rarely 

 driven against his will. When the considerate owner enters the 

 stable the horse greets him with a hearty whinny, his only language, 

 which is equivalent to a cheerful expression of delight. He is at 

 once treated to a lump of loaf-sugar, which the beautiful and saga- 

 cious creature knows is usually carried in a vest pocket, for he rubs 

 his nose directly in there. On returning from a drive he expects two 

 lumps. As two are invariably forthcoming when unharnessed, it is 

 unmistakable evidence to the horse that his conduct and efforts were 

 satisfactory. The sight of a whip to that animal would be an insult 

 arid an outrage to his affectionate regard for one who looks carefully 

 to his health, security and comfort. Such an instrument of barbarity 

 does not belong to that good man's carriage, and may God speed the 

 incoming day when they will only be seen in museums, to illustrate 

 the conditions of countries that ultimately became Christianized. 

 The stiillion and bull have fully developed brains, and therefore pos- 

 sess a higher degree of susceptibility for instruction than emasculated 

 animals. Oxen are never placed in the arena for those disgraceful 

 amusements in Spain, in which matadors and bulls strive against each 

 other in bloody combats. Maimed horses and cattle, like eunuchs, 

 are neither so strong nor so easily taught as those who have never 

 been fashioned to suit the caprices of humanity. They are always 

 more timid, cautious and unreliant, in consequence of a non-perfect 

 development of the brain, which is abridged in power by the opera- 

 tion to which they are subjected, under the false idea that they are 

 more manageable by being thus manipulated. Smaller animals may 



