86 WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS. 



have considerable difficulty in retaining his hold 

 on the back of such an animal. And, moreover, 

 when the head of the intended victim was down 

 between his knees, a panther could scarcely 

 accomplish his favourite method of killing by 

 seizing the nose with one paw and twisting the 

 head back so as to dislocate the neck. 



Every horse which is employed on the road 

 must learn to trot or he is of little use to his 

 owner, yet we find that the wild prairie horses 

 and young colts out at pasture seldom trot ex- 

 cept for a few steps when changing from a canter 

 to a walk. Some naturalists have even said that 

 this pace is entirely artificial, and has been ac- 

 quired since the horse became man's captive. 

 I need not say anything of the wonderful per- 

 fection to which trotting has been brought by 

 judicious breeding and training. But let us con- 

 sider what was the natural raw material out of 

 which the feats of " Maud S." and her competi- 

 tors have been evolved. 



On the smooth, springy turf cantering or gal- 

 loping is the easiest pace ; but on a hard, ir- 

 regular track, with rocks strewn about, even the 

 wild horse will trot, and lift his knees in the most 

 approved style. So at least I have been told by 



