THE MAMMALIA— MAN AND BEASTS. 



51 



it is usually the female, by the marked preference which she bestows upon the young- 

 er and more vigorous males, whom she singles out with an extraordinary sagacity, 

 that first induces the latter to assume their proper place, and break through that con- 

 straint and obedience which habit had confirmed. 



There are probably some herds of animals where age alone acquires the force of 

 authority. That such a state of society should exist, it only requires that all their 

 wants should be satisfied, which perhaps takes place among those herds of Ruminants, 

 livin*^ in the rich prairies of Africa and America, which Man has not yet subdued to 

 his use. Their food being always plentiful, could not be with them a matter of 

 rivalry, and but for the females, their lives would pass on in the most profound peace. 

 A contrary effect would be produced where the interests of individuals arc at variance; 

 and when food continues long to be scarce, the entire breaking up of the society is the 

 necessary consequence. 



Hitherto we have supposed all the individuals composing the herd to be of the 

 same natural disposition. But this is not strictly the case; some are more violent in 

 their passions than others, or their wants are more urgent. One animal is naturally 

 mild and peaceable, another is timid; a third perhaps is brave or passionate, peevish or 

 obstinate; and then the former state of things is disturbed. However, these acci- 

 dental causes soon produce their effects, each animal obtains its proper influence, and 

 acquires its natural level. New comers gradually become accustomed to yield obedi- 

 ence to those whom they find invested with the command, untU their own turn to 

 command arrives, which happens when all the others 3xe newer associates than them- 

 selves, or that they are the oldest animals of the society. 



The Social Instinct does not only show itself in the mutual affection which the 

 animals of the same herd bear for each other. It is also to be seen in that sentiment 

 of hatred and estrangement which they bear to every unknown individual. Two 

 herds never unite wilUngly; and if cb-cumstances compel them to do so, violent battles 

 are the result. The males single out the males, the females attack their own sex ; but 

 if a single strange individual, especially when of another species, happen to be thrown 

 by chance in the middle of a herd, he can only escape certain death by a timely retreat. 



From this it follows, that the tract of country occupied by one herd, is in a manner 

 inviolable to all neighbouring herds. It belongs to them by a kind of right. If they 

 be Carnivorous, it is there they find their prey, if Herbivorous, their pasture. No 

 other tribe in ordinary circumstances ventures to transgress its limits. Any pressing 

 danger, such as a great famine, will, however, serve to break through this natural 

 state of things; and the instinct of self-preservation then bursts through all restraints. 

 But in ordinary cases, the right of property, as well as its effects, may be seen not 

 only in the sociable herds, but even in the solitary species. Every one of the latter 

 considers the place where he has established his residence, the retreat he has prepared, 

 as well as the district upon which he obtains his food, as exclusively his own. The Lion 

 permits no other Lion to reside in his neighbourhood. Two Wolves never inhabit the 

 same district together, except in those countries where they are merely stra_^glers, and 

 are every moment liable to b3 hunted to death. The same thing happens with the 

 birds of prey. The Eagle from her eyrie extends her dominion over the immense 

 tract of country within the range of her piercing sight. 



The state of society above described prevails in every animal association, if we make 

 allowance for their specific characters, such as the peculiar instincts, likings, or facul- 

 ties which distinguish any one species from the others. But troops or herds of differ- 

 ent species present characteristics which are pecuharly their own, and which serve to 

 modify the Social Instinct. These will fall to be described in their proper place. 



In all societies where the natural wants of the individual become very urgent, 

 force prevails in a considerable degree. Among the Carnassiers, which are often 

 pinched by the severest famine, the authority of the leader is much more liable 

 to change than among the Ruminants. The same thing happens with Birds, 

 whose wants and rivalries always proceed to the utmost pitch of fury. On the 

 other hanA, particular likings and special instincts may serve to augment and 

 perfect the social sentiment. Slany animals unite to the instinct of society that of 

 combining for their mutual defence. Some dig capacious bxuTows; others erect 

 solid habitations; and it is to the social instinct developed in a high degree that we 

 owe the domestic animals. 



By separating a sociable animal from the herd to which it naturally belon^-s, we 

 may acquure some idea of the force of that instinct which urges it to forsake solitude, 

 and live with its own species. Many instances might be adduced illustrative of the 

 powerful affection which results from that sentiment. A Cow, a Goat, or a Sheep, 

 when separate from its flock, feels an uneasiness often fatal to its Ufe. M. F. Cuvier 

 had a Corsican Ewe (^Ovis musimon of Pallas) which fell into a decHning state, and 

 could only be restored to health by replacing her in the same pen with her companions. 

 Travellers are usually well aware of the danger in meeting a herd of "Wild Horses. 

 Without the greatest precautions, they run the risk of losing all their own Horses ; 

 for the latter, although domesticated, cannot resist the force of that Instinct which 

 urges them to join the wild herd that surrounds and neighs to them. 



The two following anecdotes, illustrative of the force of the Social Instinct, are 

 related on the authority of M. F. Cuvier. A Lioness had lost the Dog with which 

 she had been brought up, and for the purpose of exhibiting these animals together in 

 the pubUc Menagerie, she was supplied with another, with whom, in a little time, she 

 consented to associate. She had not appeared to suffer much from the loss of her 

 former companion, as her affection for it was very slight. In a httle time the Lioness 

 died. The surviving Dog exhibited a very different result. He refused to leave the 

 den where they had been confined. He continued two days to take his food, but his 

 illness increased. The third day he refused all nourishment, and he died of exhaustion 

 on the seventh 



The other instance was that of a Roebuck. It was very young, and had been cap- 

 tured during the spring in a forest. A young Lady, who took charge of it durino- 

 the summer, became a companion, from whom it could not be separated. It followed 

 her every where, and was as httle afraid when she was present, as it was wild and 

 fierce, when she happened to be away. On the approach of winter, it became incon- 

 venient to leave the Roebuck in the same place where it had been brought up ; and 

 besides it had been unwell. But as the young lady was going to town, it was thought 



best to bring it up also, and to place it in a neighbouring garden, with a young Goat 

 for its companion. On the first day, it would not rise upon its legs, or move from its 

 place. On the second it began to take a little food; whether it would have continued 

 is doubtful. However, its mistress visited it on the third day, and it returned with 

 ai-dour all the caresses which she bestowed; but as soon as she left the animal, it lay 

 down and rose no more. 



Our domestic animals have always given striking instances of this deep and exclu- 

 sive affection, which causes them to die of grief when separated from the object of 

 their attachment. This obviously arises from the circumstance explained in a former 

 section, that all the truly domestic animals are sociable in a hif^h degree. 



Without the social instinct, it is impossible to conceive how these animals could ever 

 have become domesticated, if we consider the very early stage of human civilization 

 when they became so. It is true, that by means of kind treatment, continued for a 

 long course of generations, we can succeed in habituating some unsociable animals to 

 hve along with us ; but this is far from being a real domestication. If Man had been 

 originally placed in an unhospitable climate, the necessity of providing for his daily 

 wants would not have allowed him much leisure for experiments on domestication; and 

 had he been placed in one of those fertile countries where every thinn- is spontaneously 

 bestowed, he would scarcely have subjected himself to a painfiil and continual industry 

 for so remote an object. Indeed, no savage nation has been found with animals which 

 themselves aJone have rendered domestic. On the other hand, we have in the Cat 

 an evident proof that unsociable animals do not naturally become domestic. It lives 

 amongst us, accepts our protection, receives our kindness, but does not yield an equal 

 submission or exchange of favors with the really domestic species. If Time alone were 

 suflacient to produce domestication, the Cat would be as domestic as the Do'r, the Cow, 

 or the Horse. 



Confidence, among the animals, is always paid to strength. The one succeeds the 

 other ; but it is chiefly by the former that authority is maintained. Nature affords 

 numerous proofs of this. We are informed by travellers of undoubted credit, that the 

 wild Horses have a chief, the bravest of the herd, who walks always at their head, whom 

 they follow with devotion, and who gives the signal either for flight or for battle, 

 according to the estimate which he forms of the strength of his enemies, or the extent 

 of the danger. But if by accident he falls, the herd, being without a leader, disperses ; 

 each individual flies at random; some attempt to join other herds, and many fall 

 victims to their indecision and mistakes. The same thing may be seen among our 

 domestic animals; and the shepherd, in relation to his flock, is nothing else than the 

 strongest individual of the herd, whose strength they have experienced, and in whose 

 skill they repose the greatest confidence. 



\Vlien strange animals first meet together, they are in the same relative situation 

 as a wild animal in the presence of Man. When once the society of Man has become 

 necessary, it is tamed. This fact is shown by the manner in which wild Elephants are 

 captured. 



The domestic Elephants, obedient to the Man who conducts them, are in the same 

 state of hostility and estrangement, when placed in the presence of a wild Elephant, 

 03 every herd is in respect to an isolated stranger or the member of another herd. 

 The wild Elephant, on the contrary, is urged invincibly by the social instinct to 

 approach the other individuals of his species, and to subimt to them within certain 

 hmits. 



Elephants, like other sociable animals, can be made to use this influence to catch 

 the wild individuals. Some tame Elephants, usually females, are conducted in th« 

 immediate neighbourhood of the retreats where the wild animals have estabhshed them- 

 selves. If they can find near the wild herd any individual, who is compelled by the 

 others to keep at a distance, being perhaps driven out of the herd by some more 

 powerful leader than himself, and thus compelled to live in sohtude, so as to do violence to 

 his social principle, the wanderer does not fail to find out the domestic Elephants, and 

 to approach them. The masters of the latter, who are not far distant, run and tie 

 the wild Elephant with ropes, being protected by the tame Elephants which belong- 

 to them : and if the stranger attempt to make the least resistance, the tame Elephants 

 compel him, by blows of their trunk and tusks, to submit himself to be led away into 

 captivity. 



A most striking instance of the inefficiency of mere force, in comparison to that con- 

 fidence which is estabhshed by time, was often exhibited in the Menagerie du Hot. 

 When the Moors of Barbary catch a young Lion, they are in the habit of brino-in'^ it 

 up mth a young Dog. These two animals become mutually attached, but especially 

 the Dog to the Lion. As the former grows faster than the latter, it arrives sooner 

 at its adult state, that is to say, at that time of life when carnivorous animals acquire 

 strength and courage. From this difference of growth, it foUows that the Dog main- 

 tains so great an ascendancy over the Lion as completely to tUrect the physical 

 strength of the latter, and he always preserves this power, especially if the Lion be of 

 a mild and quiet temper. 



Other animals afford instances that muscular strength does not always acquire the 

 ascendancy; courage and perseverance are also means of obtaining the command. M. 

 F. Cuvier had a Cashmere Goat, which was placed in company with three other 

 Goats, each of which was at least twice as large and as strong as the former. Yet 

 the httle Goat managed to get the mastery over the others, although in fighting he lost 

 one of his horns, and thus was deprived of the advantage which the others enjoyed of 

 striking both to the right and left. But his fury and obstinacy were so "reat, that he 

 ended by obtaining, through dint of perseverance, an authority as complete as if it had 

 proceeded from an undoubted superiority of physical strength. Two of the Goats 

 which he had subdued followed their httle master evei-y where, and when separated 

 from him could not rest until he was restored to them, 



Euffon relates a fact, authenticated in a letter from M. Dumourtier, which shows 

 how much the influence of animals over each other is increased by time. " The pater- 

 nal authority among the Rabbits is much respected. I observe that all my Rabbits 

 pay a great respect to their grandfathsr, whom I can easily i-ecognise by his gray hair. 

 His family have greatly increased. Those who have become fathers in their turn still 

 preserve their submission to him. Whenever his sons tight together, whether for the 

 females or for the possession of the food, the old grandfather, when he hears the noise 



