46o THE PHILOSOPHY 



We fhall conclude'this fubjedt with a few remarks concerning the 

 changes produced in animals by DOMESTICATION. 



Climate and food are the chief caufes which produce changes la 

 the magnitude, figure, colour, and conftitution, of wild animals. 

 But, befide thefe caufes, there are others which have an influence 

 upon animals when reduced to a domeftic or unnatural ftate. When 

 at perfect liberty, animals feem to have feleded thofe particular 

 zones or regions of the globe which are moft confonant to the na- 

 ture and conftitution of each particular tribe. There they fponta- 

 neoufly remain, and never, like man, difperfe themfelves over the 

 whole furface of the earth. But, when obliged by man, or by any 

 great revolution of Nature, to abandon their native foil, they un- 

 dergo changes fo great, that, to recognife and diftinguifh them, re- 

 courfe muft be had to the moft accurate examination. If we add to 

 climate and food, thofe natural caufes of alteration in free animals, 

 the empire of man over fuch of them as he has reduced to fervitude, 

 the degree to which tyranny degrades and disfigures Nature will ap- 

 pear to be greatly augmented. The mouflon, the ftock from which 

 our domeftic fheep have derived their origin. Is comparatively a 

 large animal. He Is as fleet as a ftag, armed with horns and ftrong 

 hoofs, and covered with coarfe hair. With thefe natural advanta- 

 ges, he dreads neither the Inclemency of the fky, nor the voracity 

 of the wolf. By the fwiftnefs of his courfe, he not only efcapes 

 from his enemies, but he is enabled to refift them by the ftrength 

 of his body and the folldity of his arms. How different is this ani- 

 mal from our domeftic fheep, who are timid, weak, and unable to 

 defend themfelves ? Without the protedtion of man, the whole race 

 would foon be extirpated by rapacious animals and by winter-ftorms. 

 In the warmeft climates of Africa and of Afia, the mouflon, who Is 

 the common parent of the fheep, appears to be lefs degenerated than • 

 in any other region. Though reduced to a domeftic ftate, he has 



' preferved 



