358 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



exceptions presented by the production of mules. Those 

 which we are about to notice, are said, by the French na- 

 turalists, to be the first ever produced from the intercourse 

 of two species entirely wild, but this seems very doubtful, 

 as similar instances have occurred here several years ago. 

 Mules have often been born from the intercourse of two 

 domestic species, such as the Horse and Ass, Sheep and 

 Goat, or from that of a domestic and wild species, as 

 the Wolf and Dog, Ass and Zebra, fyc. From this it has 

 been inferred, that the deviation of instinct, exhibited in 

 such unions, was the result of the influence of man over 

 these animals. It appears, however, that this is by no 

 means a necessary condition to the production of this phe- 

 nomenon. A domestic state, or even a long captivity, are 

 not requisite for this purpose. In the case before us, the 

 animals were very young, and had not been together in the 

 same cell more than six months before intercourse ensued. 

 It was odd enough too, that these animals were far from 

 having lived in a good understanding with each other. 

 They never played together. Each retained its own corner, 

 and the female being the strongest, often made the other 

 feel its superiority. 



These animals we have already described as the Common 

 Chacal and the Chacal of Senegal. The latter was the fe- 

 male. At the end of sixty-two days after the beginning of 

 their intercourse five young ones were born. The mother 

 at first evinced some inquietude, but at last received her 

 offspring to her maternal cares. This adoption of the 

 young by the mother is a fact worthy of attention, under 

 the various circumstances in which it may occur. The sen- 

 timent from which it springs, and which is instantaneously 

 produced in all females the moment of birth, when they 

 find themselves in a state of security, seems to be developed 

 very imperfectly, and sometimes not at all when they are 

 under the influence of captivity and restraint. The feelings 



