JO WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS. 



were at work from day to day and from year to 

 year during immense epochs before ever the first 

 wild horse was lassoed by prehistoric savages. 

 Strange to say, this long and bitter feud between 

 the Equidae and the Canidae seems now almost 

 entirely forgotten. Horses seldom show an in- 

 stinctive dislike to dogs ; and in this respect 

 their conduct presents a marked contrast to that 

 of domestic cattle, which never seem able to 

 forget the enmity of ancient days. Probably the 

 truce which has been established between horses 

 and dogs is chiefly owing to their close associa- 

 tion in their common state of servitude to man. 

 The horse is an intelligent animal, quickly 

 adapting himself to new circumstances ; and, 

 moreover, he readily finds out who are his 

 friends. Probably also when wild he had little 

 to fear from a single wolf; for he has plenty of 

 courage as well as speed, and is a skilful fighter 

 with hoofs and teeth. Occasionally, however, 

 the old dread and enmity crop up. I have 

 known young horses, when surrounded by a 

 pack of foxhounds for the first time, to become 

 almost frantic with fear. A gentleman who lives 

 among the Sussex Downs, and who spends much 

 of his time on horseback, has informed me that 



