DOMESTICATED MAMMALS OF THE FARM 105 
been considered a source of food supply, except in times 
of famine. 
And our dealings with the other domesticated beasts, that 
nowadays seem so utilitarian, were not in the beginning so 
very different. It is probable that the first of them to be 
brought into human association were captured young and 
kept at home as pets. The desire of their captors was 
probably not to eat them, nor to wear their skins, but to see 
more of their interesting ways. The frisking calf or colt or 
lamb was a new playmate for the children of the household. 
So, all sorts of wild animals are gathered about the homes of 
primitive people everywhere, even today. So, they are 
played with: and tamed, and such as prove harmless and 
docile are allowed increasing liberty about the place. There 
are few of them indeed, that, when free and fully grown, will 
not desert the homes of their captors for their native wilds. 
Some such have been found in times long past, and from these 
have descended our domesticatedanimals. Doubtlessthesav- 
age youth who first captured a few wild calves, and tamed and 
reared and bred them and started a herd, little realized the 
far-reaching influence of his venture upon the development of 
human civilization. : 
In attaching the more useful wild animals to his home, 
savage man attached himself there. It became easier to 
raise food and clothing than to get them by the uncertainties 
of the chase. Asa keeper of flocks and herds his substance 
increased; his living became better assured; his sympathies 
and interests were broadened; his forethought grew. 
The dog has been of chief value to the hunter and the 
husbandman. He was by nature a superb scout; vigilant, 
keen, able to take care of himself, and quick to learn ways of 
cooperating with hismaster. He could be taught what to do, 
and—yet more remarkable—what not to do, even to the 
curbing of his natural appetites. From eating sheep and 
