WILD ANIMALS. 



CHAPTER I. 



MENAGEEIES. 



The origin of menageries must always remain pure matter of 

 conjecture, founded on the careful study of ancient history and the 

 deciphering of obscure traditions of primitive ages. Upon the 

 obelisks and monuments of the greatest antiquity are to be found 

 well-drawn representations of lions, elephants, dromedaries, and 

 other animals known to modern times ; as well as of many species 

 that have totally disappeared from the face of the earth. The 

 animals are mostly represented in combat, in movable cages, 

 or being hunted or led along with captive men in the train or pro- 

 cession that swelled the triumphal progress of some king or hero. 

 It is, therefore, a fair assumption thg,t the dangerous beasts 

 were confined in places strong enough to secure them, specially 

 constructed for the purpose, which would in course of time show 

 collections that might accurately be described as primitive 

 menageries. 



In the barbarous ages wild beasts were employed in war- 

 fare, and in consequence of the awe and fear they inspired, 

 were the objects of veneration and worship ; but in the pro- 

 gress of the world along the path of civilization the minds of 

 men became capable of grasping new truths, and superstitions 

 began gradually to yield to more accurate and enlightened ideas. 

 Then the thirst for knowledge no doubt led to the study of 

 the wonders of the world around them, and in this way the 

 ianimal kingdom must have attracted attention, and from being 



