THE MAMMALIA— MAN AND BEASTS. 
47 
comes like a Dog to the feet of its master, receives his caresses with pleasure, and 
takes its food mildly from his Iiand. 
These are only a few of the instances which might bo brought forward to show the 
immense importance of Menageries, or Zoological Gardens, to the proper knowledge 
of the characters of animals. When at large in the desert, it is with the utmost 
difficulty that we can ascertain the real condition of an animal so as folly to appreciate 
the influence of surrounding circumstances. On the contrary, when confined in the 
Experimental Garden, we possess the means of successively abstracting those forces 
which in its former stale constrained and overpowered its natural propensities. Wo 
may further submit it to new combinations of influential forces, and we may thence 
deduce those general laws by which all the productions of Nature arc equally swayed. 
Wliat, wc may inquire, would bo the present state of Natural Philosophy, if man- 
kind had confined themselves only to those plicnomcna which Nature spontaneously 
presents, if the*)' had not invented complicated instrument and apparatus for the pur- 
pose of placing the forces of Nature in new and untried conditions? To suppose that 
animals, when captive, exhibit actions of a different Nature to those performed in the 
wild state, would be to assign to Jlan the absurd power of altering the Nature of 
animals, of creating in thorn other dispositions than such as were assigned to them 
by their Maker; in other w’ords, of subverting the laws of created existence. No 
person can suppose that the Chemist, however lie may vary his experiments, can 
create a single particle of matter, or alter any one of the laws of inorganic substances. 
In a similar manner, the Zoologist, however he may vary the condition of the animal 
under examination, arrives by analy.'^is only at those particular and general laws which 
Nature has assigned to the animal, but its original constitution remains the same 
under all circumstances. As long as our observations of animals are confined to those 
at liberty, this important branch of Natural History will contain nothing but a crude 
collection of isolated facts often at variance with each other, because they arc united 
by no connecting link. The observers, perhaps, are guided by no sound views of 
science, or the facts they record arc accidental, or arise from local causes, while fan- 
(astic,al hypotheses are formed of the nature of animals, derived from their views 
regarding the nature of ^lan. When, however, (ho captive animals of a Zoological 
Garden arc submitted to a rational course of e.vperiments, that branch of Natural 
History which considers the actions of animals and their causes, becomes elevated to 
the rank of a science from the richness and variety of the general truths which it 
unfolds.* 
It is only necessary here to point out, in a few words, some of the important facts 
which have been brought to light by a properly-regulated course of experimental 
inquiry into the nature of animals, and to exhibit a few of the subjects which still 
remain open for inquiry. 
For a long time it was imagined that the moral perfection of Jlan depended upon 
the development of his organs, and if this error has at length been abandoned by all 
except a few popular theorists and their followers, it still holds its sway in regard to 
animals. Those animals which enjoyed the greatest delicacy of sense, with pliable 
limbs well adapted for rapid motion, ought, according to this theory', to be the most 
intelligent ; and the Monkeys, as well as many Carnassiers, seem at first sight to 
confirm the rule. But the examination into the intelligence of many species of Seals 
(l^hoca) has demonstrated the important truth, that the inieUi(jtnt poiva's of animah 
arc not in pr()portio7i to the perfection of their organs. Of all Mammalia the Seal 
seems at first sight least fitteil by its structure for intelligence. Its limbs are modi- 
fied into oars or fins, it has no external cars, its eyes are adapted for vision in the 
dense medium of water, and lujnce it can sec very imperfectly in the air; its nostrils 
arc only opened when the animal breathes; and its body is covered all over with a 
thick layer of blubber, which deprives it of the exercise of touch, except at the places 
where the whiskers arc inserted. Yet the Seal equals, if not surpasses, the Dog in 
its susceptibility for attachment, in docility, and in the brilliancy of its instinct. This 
fact demonstrates that tho most exact at’quaint.ancc with the organic cliaracters of 
animals is but an imperfect kind of knowledge, if we are ignorant of the inward 
principle which animates and guides thoix* external frames. There is another striking 
instance of the importance of studying animals in captivity. It was always supposed 
fr.om examining animals only in the wild state, that their intellects were developed hi 
the same manner as those of Man. A young animal born with faculties still in the 
hud, seemed, during the ardour of its youth, to exhibit vivacity rather than strengtli ; 
and it was thought that its intellect became matured, as in Man, with increa-sing 
years. This prejudice ha.s been altogctlicr overthrown by the cxaminaliou of animals . 
in captivity. It is there found that in the first ages of youth their intellects airivc at 
the full development, and that young animah are beyond all comparison more 
intelligent thanlheir parents. It is clear that this fact never could have been ascer- 
taiaed with wild animals, because it was necessary to follow them throughout all the 
stages of their growth. Tliere wore many precautions requisite to ensure the success 
nf tlic inquiry. All animals were not proper for tho investigation; tho.se of very 
limited capacity presented no apparent result ; those modified by domestication could 
not be relied op ; and the Camassiors being under the continual necessity of using 
their faculties for subsistence, had their original nature so much altered, through the 
experience of the individual, as to he unfit for the experiment. It vras necessary to 
confine the inquiry to the Apes, which have been moat favored with intelligence, and 
yet whose cxislenco does not depend upon tho use they make of it, as the forests of 
Iheir native climates yield a continual supply of abundant nourishment. 
The fact that young animals arc moro intelligent than their parents, marks an im- 
portant difference between the nature of Man and that of the Brutes. While human 
natui'o is capable of an indefinite improvement in the lapse of time, tho nature of the 
• At a time whtm London, Livei-pool, and Dublin, have Ihcir own Zoological 
^lardeus, incretoiin-; daily in wealth and importance, it seems singular that Scotlaiul 
should bo so far behind her neighbours in this branch of science; that tlio study of 
®-nimals should be left to tho generous muinfioence of private individuals, aUhough 
^ho eatablidimcnt of a public Zoological Garden, iii Edinburgh, offers a reasonable 
pfospect of remuneration, wlicn considered even in the light of a mere commorcinl 
speculation, and without any referenco to its important efiVets in elevating tho public 
taste. 
brute blsizes forth at onco in its gi*eatest brilliancy. The latter, by the continual 
decay of its original powers, points out that eternal rest to which it will soon be 
consigned; while the aspiring mind of Man sees, in the gradual perfectibility of his 
Nature, a glimpse of the immortal existence beyond the grave, on which his hopes 
love to repose. 
These are not the only kind of truths to which experimental inquiries into the 
Nature of animals lead us. They also give much important information regarding 
their instincts, those necessary actions to which they are blindly urged by a superior 
power. 
While tho examination of the Beavers was confined to those in their wild state, it 
was remarked that such only as lived together in society, and in uninliabited coun- 
tries, ever constructed habitations, while the solitary individuals encountered some- 
times in densely peopled countries, retired into the natural cavities of the rocks on the 
banks of lakes and rivers. Buffon says that these animals are not urged to work and 
to build by that inward instinct, or phy.sical necessity, which guides the Ants or the 
Bees; but that they o.tX par choix, that is, from understanding the design and utility 
of their work, and that their industry ceases when tho presence of Man inspires them 
with the dread of hU power. Of all previous writers upon the Nature of animals, 
Buffon had probably the most just and elevated ideas concerning them, yet upon this 
point he fell into a serious error, which subsequent experimental inquiry has not failed 
to discover. It is found that when one of the solitary Beavers is placed in a convenient 
situation, when he is supplied with the proper materials for his edifice, such as earth, 
wood, and stone, neither his solitude nor the presence of Man has any effect upon his 
industry ; he still continues to build. Had Buffon submitted one of these animals to 
experimental inquiiy, he would have regarded the huts and dikes of the social 
Beavers not as “the result of combined projects founded on the reason and conve- 
nience of their ends — of natural talents perfected by repose,” but ho would have 
regarded them, as they really are, the result of an industry purely mechanical, as the 
object or gratification of an internal want wholly instinctive. Numerous experiments 
made with several of the solitary Beavers, taken from the banks of the Is^re, the 
Rhone, and the Danube, have demonstrated that they are always naturally disposed 
to build, although they already may have a commodious habitation, and no apparent 
advantage could result from their labour, except that of blindly satisfying an instinct 
which they are, in a manner, forced to obey. 
■NVe sliall only allude here to one more error which the examination of captive 
animals has completely served to expose. The belief that tho herbivorous animals are 
of dispositions milder, more tractable, and more affectionate than the Carnivora, has 
infected the works of nearly all our popular writers on Natural History. It has 
exercised an important influence on philosophical and religious systems, upon the 
received views of the Nature of Man, or of the effect of food upon tho moral deve- 
lopment of his Mind, upon tine laws of nations, and even upon their poetry. The 
dark-eyed Gaxelle has become the emblem of mildness as well as of beauty, and it 
bos been the same witli the Hind and other anima).s with large eyes and a light or 
timid step. On the other hand, the Tiger, the Panther, tho Hysena, and the Wolf, 
are hold up sis glaring instances of a brutal ferocity as well as cruelty, fitted only to 
inspire us uitb hatrell and detestation. 
Bat upon a minute and close examination, upon becoming in a manner personally 
ccquiiinicd with them — a state of things which can only happen iu a Menagerie — 
we are compelled absolutely to reverse these epithets; in a word, lo assign to the 
Herbivorous tribes those ideas of brutality with which we had been previously taught 
to regard the Carnassiers. In fact, all the adult Ruminating animals, but especially 
tho males, are rude and brutal iu their manners; they can neither be soothed by good 
treatment, nor attached by caresses. If they have intelligence sufficient to know the 
hand that feeds them — a circumstance not always the case— they owe him no attach- 
ment. The requisite attentions of their keeper are performed only with the necessary 
precautions to ensure his own safety. The moment he ceases to intimidate them, 
they are ready for an attack. A secret sentiment ui’gos them to regard every animal 
as an enemy which is not of their own species. We have seen that it is altogether 
different, even with those animals which feed most exclusively upon flesh. While 
the former are of a low and nan ow capacity, tho Carnivora arc equally remarkable 
for tho extent, refinement, and activity of tlieu* intelligence. So true is it, even 
with animals, that the development of their iutellectual powers is more favorable 
than otherwise to the advance of those nobler qualities which attract our regard and 
esteem. 
The importance of Zoological Gardens is not confined merely to the acquisition 
of scientific truths; they may lead to practical results of the utmost importance to 
society. There are numerous animals whose powers of becoming domesticated have 
not yet been fairly tried, and even in the present state of our knowledge, it is more 
than probable that nut a few will be rendered practically available, and become to tho 
next generation as familiar as Steam Boats and Gas Lights arc to us, 
Upon applying the principles already explained to different tribes of animals, wc 
shall be able to point out some species which may hereafter become domesticated. 
Beginning with the Apes, we find qualities highly favorable for domestication, 
such U 3 tho social inxtinct and great intelligence ; but these are entirely counteracted 
by their excessive irascibility, violence, and fickleness of dL>position, which render 
them altogether incapable of yielding submission. Hence tiiey arc entirely excluded 
from the list of animals with whom Man could associate. A like exclusion must bo 
given to tho American tribes of Quadrurnaua, to the Maids, and to the Inscctivora, 
for the feebleness of their bodies would render them useless to Man, whatever suscep. 
tibility their dispositions might possess. 
But with regard to the Seals, it seems altogether surprising ihat Fishermen have 
not made use of tlioir instincts, or taught them to assist in fishing, in the same maimer 
as tho Hunter has brought up the Dog to aid in the chase. 
We inav pass ovt^r the intervening tribes ol Rodentia, Edentata, and Marsupialla. 
The feebleness of their bodies, and their limited intelligence, disqualify them from 
sharing our labors. It is different wltli the Pachydonnata, as most animals of this 
ordfU' liavc already been domesticated, or are fit to become so. 
The (fl'apir Amcricanus)i it is to be regretted, is still in an unreclaimed 
