320 WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS. 



to preserve us from extinction, and we are there- 

 fore — from the purely selfish or individualist 

 point of view — apparently so much the nearer 

 extinction when we give our cheques to the 

 tax-gatherer and lessen our bank balance by 

 several pounds or dollars. 



In reality we are of course purchasing from 

 the Government very much more effective pro- 

 tection for life or property than we could obtain 

 by the individual expenditure of the amount 

 which we pay in taxes. The money provides 

 us with the services of police and soldiers to 

 defend us against robbers and invaders, and 

 some of it is usually spent in safeguarding our 

 health and in aiding us in getting a livelihood. 

 Hence we get back from the community in the 

 long-run a good deal more than the money which 

 we had to yield up in the way of taxes. 



Now let us return to our rabbits and deer. 

 Being creatures which live in communities, they 

 have certain obligations towards their fellow - 

 citizens. In some way or other each has to 

 contribute something to the commonwealth. 

 Silver and gold they have none, so thej^ can- 

 not pay taxes as we do. Property they have 

 none, so they cannot pay in kind as do the 



