34 WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS. 



It seems probable, therefore, that the common 

 ancestor of our domestic dogs and their wild 

 relatives, which no doubt lived under some- 

 what different conditions from any modern wild 

 or feral creatures of the kind, was a barking 

 animal. 



As I have already said, the very fact that the 

 dopf barks when alarmed is an indication that he 

 is a creature of gregarious instincts, and that he 

 is accustomed to act in concert with others. The 

 sound is a signal to his comrades as well as a 

 threat to the intruder. If this be not so, what 

 can be the meaning and intention of the different 

 tones he adopts according to the nature of the 

 provocation, which are capable of conveying to 

 ears afar off an idea of the measure and near- 

 ness of the danger ? 



Most of our domestic animals,_and- all which 

 acf under our orders and give us willing' obedi- 

 ence, are gregarious in their habits when in the 

 wild state. A little thought will show that many 

 of the qualities for which we prize them are 

 dependent upon this fact, and that we are the 

 gainers by turning to our own use the stock of 

 tribal virtues and morals which they brino- with 

 them into our service, — ^just in the same waj- as 



