l6o WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS. 



of a single powerful bull, and that he keeps all 

 the others in absolute subjection. When a 

 stronger than he arises, and indeed whenever 

 a younger one comes to maturity, there is a 

 terrific battle ; and if the original lord of the 

 harem is worsted he retires into sour solitude. 

 The cows and all the young bulls yield ready 

 obedience to the chief ; and this inbred disposi- 

 tion to submit to established authority is taken 

 advantage of by the stockman, who, among do- 

 mestic cattle, may be regarded as the deposed 

 King Bull's vicegerent. But when - bulls get 

 their full growth and strength, their wild in- 

 stinct impels them to commence a determined 

 tussle for the mastery. 



In the freedom of the forest this was laudable 

 ambition, and might lead to the chieftainship of 

 the herd : but in the farmyard it is regarded 

 as viciousness ; so the usurping human "boss," 

 whose supremacy is thus disputed, settles the 

 controversy in a summary way, and sends for 

 the butcher. 



