THE MAMMALIA— MAN AND BEASTS. 
51 
it is usually the female^ by the marked preference whiolx she bestows upon the young- 
er and more vigorous males, whom she singles out with an extraordinary sagacity, 
that first induces the latter to assume their proper place, and break through that con- 
straint and obedience which habit had confirmed. 
There are probably some herds of animals where age alone acquires the force of 
authority. That such a state of society should exist, it only requires that all their 
wants should be satisfied, which perhaps takes place among those herds of Ruminants, 
living in the rich prairies of Africa and America, which Man has not yet subdued to 
his use. Their food being always plentiful, could not be with them a matter of 
rivalry, and but for the females, their lives would pass on in the most profound peace. 
A contrary effect would be produced where the interests of individuals aro at variance; 
and when food continues long to be scarce, tho entire breaking up of the society is the 
necessary consequence. 
Hitherto wo have supposed all the individuals composing the herd to be of the 
same natural disposition. Hut this is not strictly the case ; some are more violent in 
their passions than others, or their wants arc more urgent. One animal is naturally 
mild and peaceable, another is timid ; a third perhaps is brave or passionate, peevish or 
obstinate; and then the former state of things is disturbed. However, these acci- 
dental causes soon produce their effects, each animal obtains its proper influence, and 
acquires its natural level. Now comers gradually become accustomed to yield obedi- 
ence to those whom they find invested with the command, until their own turn to 
command arrives, which happens when all the others are newer associates than them- 
selves, or that they are tho oldest animals of the society. 
The Social Instinct docs not only show itself in tho mutual affection which tho 
animals of the same herd bear for each other. It is also to be seen in that sentiment 
of hatred and estrangement which they bear to every unknown itidividxial. Two 
herds never unite willingly; and if circumstances compel thorn to do so, violent battles 
are the result. The males single out the males, the females attack their own sex ; but 
if a single strange individual, especially when of another spocies, happen to be thrown 
by chance in the middle of a herd, he can only escape certain death by a timely retreat. 
From this it follows, that tho tract of country occupied by ono herd, is in a manner 
inviolable to all neighbouring herds. It belongs to them by a kind of right. If tho^ 
be Carnivorous, it is there they find their prey, if Herbivorous, their pasture. No 
other tribe in ordinary circumstances ventures to transgress its limits. Any pressing 
danger, such as a great famine, will, however, servo to break through this natural 
state of things ; and the instinct of self-preservation then bursts through all restraints. 
But in ordinary cases, the right of property, as well as its effects, may be seen not 
only in tho sociable herds, but even in the solitary species. Every ono of tho latter 
considers tho place where he has established his residence, the retreat ho has prepared, 
as well as tho district upon which he obtains his food, as exclusively his own. The Lion 
permits no other Lion to reside in his neighbourhood. Two Wolves never inhabit the 
same district together, except in those countries where they are merely stragglers, and 
are every moment liable to b -3 bunted to death. The same thing happens with the 
birds of prey. The Eagle from lier eyrie extends her dominion over the immense 
tract of country within the range of her piercing sight. 
The state of society above described prevails in every animal association, if wemake 
allowance for their specific characters, such as' tho peculiar instincts, likings, or facul- 
ties which distinguish any one species From tho others. But troops or herds of differ- 
ent species present characteristics which are peculiarly their own, and which serve to 
modify the Social Instinct. These will fall to be described in their proper place. 
In all societies where the natural wants of the individual become very urgent, 
force prevails in a considerable degree. Among the Carnassiers, which are often 
pinched by the severest famine, tho authority of tho leader is much more liable 
to change than among tho Ruminants. The same thing happens with Birds, 
whoso wants and rivalries always proceed to tlie utmost pitch of fury. On the 
other hand, narticular likings and special instincts may serve to augment and 
perfect the social lentimcut, IMany animals unlto to the instinct of society that of 
combining for their mutual defence. Some dig capacious burrows; others erect 
solid habitations; and it is to tho social instinct developed in a high degree tliat wo 
owe the domestic animals. 
By separating a sociable animal from the herd to which it naturally belongs, we 
may acquire some idea of the force of that instinct which urges it to forsake solitude, 
and live with its own species. iMaiiy instances rrught be adduced illustrative of the 
powerful affection which results from that sentiment, A Cow, a Goat, or a .Sheep, 
when separate from Us flock, feeb an uneasiness often fatal to its life. M. F. Cuvier 
had a Corsican Ewe (Oei* musimon of Pallas) which fell into a declining state, and 
could only be restored to health by replacing her in the same pen with her companions. 
Travellers aro usually well aware of the danger in meeting a herd of Wild Horses. 
Without tho greatest precautions, they run the risk of losing all their own Horses ; 
for the latter, although domesticated, cannot resist tho force of that Instinct which 
^^‘ges them to join the wild herd that surrounds and neighs to them. 
The two following anecdotes, illustrative of the force of tho Social Instinct, arc 
related on tho authority of M. F. Cuvier. A Lioness had lost the Dog with which 
she had been brought up, and for the purpose of exhibiting these animals together in 
^he public Menageiio, she was supplied with another, with whom, in a little time, she 
consentctl to associate. She had not appeared to suffer much from tho loss of her 
“former companion, as her affection for it was very slight. In a little time tho Lioness 
died. The surviving Dog exhibited a very different result. He refused to leave the 
den where they had been confined. He continued two days to take his food, but his 
dlness increased. The third day he refused all nourishment, and ho died of exhaustion 
on the sevetith. 
Tho other instance w*as that of a Roebuck. It was very young, and had boon cap- 
lured during the spring in a fijrcst. A young Lady, who took charge of it during 
the summer, became a companion, from whom it could not be separated. It followed 
her every where, and was as little afraid when she was present, as it was wild and 
fierce, when she happened to bo away. On the approach of winter, it became incon- 
venient to leave the Roebuck in tho same place where it had been brought up ; and 
besides it had been unwell. But as the young lady was going to town, it was thought 
best to bring it up also, and to place it in a neighbouring garden, with a young Goat 
for its companion. On the first day, it would not rise upon its legs, or move from its 
place. On the second it began to take a little food ; whether it would have continued 
is doubtful. However, its mistress visited it on the third day, and it returned with 
ardour all the caresses which she bestowed; but as soon as she loft the animal, it lay 
down and rose no more. 
Our domestic animals haTC always given striking instances of this deep and exclu- 
sive affection, which causes them to die of grief when separated from tho object of 
their attachment. This obviously arises from the circumstance explained in a former 
section, that all the truly domestic animals arc sociable in a high degree. 
Without the social iustinct, it is impossible to conceive how Uiese animals could ever 
have become domesticated, if wc consider the very early stage of human civilization 
when they became so. It is true, that by moans of kind treatment, continued for a 
long course of generations, we can succeed in habituating some unsociable animals to 
live along with us ; but this is far from being a real domestication. If Man had been 
originally placed in an unbospitablc climate, the necessity of providing for bis dailv 
wants would not have allowed liim much leisure for experiments on domestication; and 
had he been placed in one of those fertile countries where every thing is spontaneousiy 
bestowed, he woiild scarcely have subjected himself to a painful and continual industry 
for 80 remote an object. Indeed, no savage nation has been found with animals which 
themselves alone have rendered domestic. On the other hand, we have in the Cat 
an evident proof that unsociable animals do not naturally become domestic. It lives 
amongst us, accepts our protection, receives our kindness, but does not yield an equal 
submission or exchange of favors with the really domestic species. If Time alone were 
sufficient to produce domestication, the Cat would be os domestic as the Dog, the Cow, 
or tho Horse. 
Confidence, among the animals, is always paid to strength. Tho one succeeds the 
other ; but it is chiefly by the former that authority is maintained. Nature affords 
numerous proofs of this. We are informed by travellers of undoubted credit, that the 
wild Horses have a chief, the bravest of the herd, who walks always at their head, whom 
•they follow with devotion, aud who gives the signal either for flight or for battle, 
according to tho estimate which he forms of the strength of his enemies, or the extent 
of the danger. But if by accident he falls, the herd, being without a leader, disperses ; 
each individual flies at random; some attempt to join other herds, and many fall 
victims to their indecision aud mistakes. The same thing may be seen among our 
domestic animals; and the shepherd, in relation to his flock, is nothing else than the 
strongest individual of the herd, whose strength they have experienced, and in whose 
skill they repose the greatest confidence. 
When strange animals first meet together, they are in the same relative situation 
as a wild animal in the presence of IMan. When once the society of Man has become 
necessary, it is tamed. Tliis fact is shown by the manner in which wild Elephants are 
captured. 
The domestic Elephants, obedient to the Man who conducts them, arc iii the same 
state of hostility and estrangement, when placed in the presence of a wild Elephant, 
as every herd is in respect to an isolated stranger or the member of another herd. 
The wild Elephant, on tho contrary, is urged invincibly by the social instinct to 
approach the other individuals of his species, and to submit to them within certain 
limits. 
Elephants, like other sociable animals, can bo made to use this influence to catch 
the wild individuals. Some tame Elephants, usually females, are conducted in the 
immediate neighbourhood of the retreats where the wild animals have established them- 
selves. If they can find near the wild herd any individual, who is compelled by tlje 
others to keep at a distance, being perhaps driven out of the herd by some more 
powerful leader than himself, and thus compelled to live in solitude, so os to do violence to 
his social principle, the w.T.nderer does not fail to find out the domestic Elephants, and 
to approach them. The masters of the latter, who arc not far distant, run and tie 
the wild Elephant with ropes, being protected by tho tame Elepliants which belon'^ 
to thorn : and if the stranger attempt to make the least resistance, the tame Elephants 
compel him, by blow's of their trunk aud tusks, to submit himself to bo led away iui > 
captivity. 
A most striking instance of tho inefficiency of mere force, in comparison to that con- 
fidence which is established by time, was often exhibited in tho Mi'magerie flu lUn. 
When the Moors of Barbary catch a young Lion, they are in the habit of bringing it 
up with a young Dog. These two animals become mutually attached, but especially 
the Dog to the Lion. As tho former grows faster than the latter, it ari-ives sooner 
at its adult state, that is to say, at that time of life when carnivorous animals acquire 
strength and courage. From this difference of growth, it follows that the Dog main- 
tains so great an ascendancy over the Lion as completely to direct the physical 
strength of tho latter, and he always preserves this power, especially if the Lion be of 
a mild and quiet temper. 
Other animals afford instances that muscular strength docs not always acquire the 
ascendancy; courage and perseverance are also means of obtaining the command. M. 
F. Cuvier hod a Cashmere Goat, which was placed in company with three other 
Goats, each of which was at least twice as largo and as strong as the former. Yet 
ilie little Goat managed to get the mastery over tho others, although in fighting he lost 
one of his horns, and thus was deprived of tho advantage whioh the others enjoyed of 
striking both to the right and left. But his fury and obstinacy were so great, that he 
ended by obtaining, through dint of perseverance, an authority os complete as if it had 
proceeded from an undoubted superiority of physical strength. Two of the Goats 
which be had subdued followed their little master every where, and when separated 
from him could not rest until ho was restored to them. 
Buffon relates a fact, authenticated in a letter from SI. Dumourticr, which show's 
how much the influence of animals over each otiicr is increased by time. “ The pater- 
nal authority among the Rabbits is much respected. I observe that all my Rabbits 
pay a great respect to their grandfather, whom I can easily recognise by his gray hair. 
His family have greatly increased. Those who have become fathers in their turn still 
preserve their submission to him. Whenever his sons fight together, whether for the 
females or for the possession of the food, the old grandfather, when he hears the noise 
