1880.] Domesticity in Animals . 71 1 
not become domesticated, and the same may be said of the 
majority of the monkeys. 
But here, also, the attempted rule breaks down on further 
scrutiny. The pigeon and the various species of parrots are 
monogamous ; yet the former lives contentedly in a state of 
tameness, and shows a certain degree of attachment toman. 
Parrots, if kindly treated and not startled by sudden noises 
and abrupt movements, must rank among the most docile 
and affectionate of creatures, and have been known to die of 
grief if separated from their owner. This is the more 
striking as in their case domestication is the result of a 
single life-time. We have not been able in Europe to have 
either the African grey parrot, or Chrysotis amazonica, breed- 
ing in captivity. This result could doubtless be obtained in 
a hot climate, and it would be very interesting to note to 
what extent such birds would acquire the use of human 
language. 
Another exception is of a different character : the gorilla 
is said to be polygamous, yet he has hitherto resisted all 
attempts at domestication. 
Having thus set aside all these attempts at finding a law 
for the tameability of animals, we submit that the truth is 
much simpler than any of them. Any species can be tamed 
if the attempt is made judiciously and with sufficient perse- 
verance. But in a majority of cases many generations must 
pass before the original wild nature is permanently and 
completely subverted by use, that second nature. It is 
curious that this view was put forward by St. James,* and 
was doubtless the opinion current in his time. 
Whether in any given case the- attempt to tame a species 
is made in a proper manner depends on such a number of 
considerations that the total result may, in common speech, 
be termed accidental. 
We have yet to point out that there are at least three 
different grades in what is called the domestication of 
animals ; or, in other words, the degree of relation into 
which they enter with man. In the lowest grade we find 
creatures which seek his near neighbourhood, not for the 
sake of plundering him, as do sparrows, mice, and rats, but 
for safety. Such are the stork, the swallow, and the martin, 
the rook, &c. Many more harmless and useful species of 
birds would enter into this class if nest-robbing, shooting, 
and trapping were put under a due restraint. 
In the second grade come those species which are the 
Epistle III., v. 7. 
