Chap. 1.] CHARACTER OP DOMESTIC VARIETIES. 21 



previous period of less advanced civilisation, during 

 which the domesticated animals, kept by different 

 tribes in different districts, might have varied and given 

 rise to distinct races. Since the discovery of flint tools 

 in the superficial formations of many parts of the world, 

 all geologists believe that barbarian man existed at an 

 enormously remote period; and we know that at the pres- 

 ent day there is hardly a tribe so barbarous, as not 

 to have domesticated at least the dog. 



The origin of most of our domestic animals will 

 probably for ever remain vague. But I may here state, 

 that, looking to the domestic dogs of the whole world, 

 I have, after a laborious collection of all known facts, 

 come to the conclusion that several wild species of 

 Canidse have been tamed, and that their blood, in some 

 cases mingled together, flows in the veins of our do- 

 mestic breeds. In regard to sheep and goats I can form 

 no decided opinion. From facts communicated to me 

 by Mr. Blyth, on the habits, voice, constitution, and 

 structure of the humped Indian cattle, it is almost 

 certain that they are descended from a different 

 aboriginal stock from our European cattle; and some 

 competent judges believe that these latter have had 

 two or three wild progenitors, — whether or not these 

 deserve to be called species. This conclusion, as well 

 as that of the specific distinction between the humped 

 and common cattle, may, indeed, be looked upon as 

 established by the admirable researches of Professor 

 Riitimeyer. With respect to horses, from reasons 

 which I cannot here give, I am doubtfully inclined 

 to believe, in opposition to several authors, that all 

 the races belong to the same species. Having kept 

 nearly all the English breeds of the fowl alive, having 



