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SEXUAL selection: mammals. 
Part II. 
harsh growl he drives her to a place in his harem. 
This continues until the lower row of harems is 
nearly full. Then the males higher up select the 
time when their more fortunate neighbours are off 
their guard to steal their wives. This they do by 
taking them in their mouths and lifting them over 
the heads of the other females, and carefully placing 
them in their own harem, carrying them as cats do 
their kittens. Those still higher up pursue the same 
method until the whole space is occupied. Frequently 
a struggle ensues between two males for the possession 
of the same female, and both seizing her at once pull 
her in two or terribly lacerate her with their teeth. 
When the space is all filled, the old male walks around 
complacently reviewing his family, scolding those 
who crowd or disturb the others, and fiercely driving 
off all intruders. This surveillance always keeps him 
actively occupied.” 
As so little is known about the courtship of animals in 
a state of nature, I have endeavoured to discover how far 
our domesticated quadrupeds evince any choice in their 
unions. Dogs offer the best opportunity for observation, 
as they are carefully attended to and well understood. 
Many breeders have expressed a strong opinion on this 
head. Thus Mr. May hew remarks, The females are 
able to bestow their affections ; and tender recollec- 
tions are as potent over them as they are known to 
be in other cases, where higher animals are con- 
cerned. Bitches are not always prudent in their 
loves, but are apt to fling themselves away on curs 
'' of low degree. If reared with a companion of vulgar 
appearance, there often springs up between the pair a 
devotion which no time can afterwards subdue. The 
passion, for such it really is, becomes of a more than 
romantic endurance.” Mr. Mayhew, who attended 
