52 
FIRST CLASS OF THE VERTEBRATED ANIMALS. 
runs at full speed to the spot. As soon as they perceive him, order is immediately 
restored ; and if he catches any of them fighting, he separates them, and makes an 
example of the refractory animals by immediate punishment. I may mention another 
instance of his influence over his posterity. For having always accustomed them to 
go into their holes on blowing a whistle, whenever I give the signal, however distant 
they may be, I observe the old grandfather to place himself at their head, and though 
he arrives first at the holes, he makes all the others defile in before him, and is always 
the last to go in himself.” 
It cannot be said that this authority on the one hand, and submission on the other, 
are instinctive. They depend upon accidental and variable causes. They often pre- 
sent opposite features in the same individual; and even the slightest change in the 
external appearance of the animals is sufficient to dissolve all harmony between them. 
A trifling circumstance of this kind would cause them not to know each other, and 
to recommence their battles. If two Rams which have long lived together in the 
most perfect harmony be shorn, they look at each other with furj', and rush together 
with such violenoc, that unless separated, they will fight until one of them either flies 
or remains dead on the spot. A boy belonging to thi^ Menagerie du Roi nearly lost 
his life only from changing his dress. He had acquired an absolute authority over a 
Bison from North America. His command alone was sufficient to make this power- 
ful animal go in or out of his stable, and the mere presence of the Boy made him 
tremble. One day having obtained from the tailor a new suit of clothes, a little dif- 
ferent in its colour and sbapo from that which he habitually wore, he went into the 
stable to perform some service for the animal, when the latter, having looked at him 
attentively for some time, made a sudden attack; and the young lad would certainly 
have been killed, if he had not had the agility to leap over the gate of the ward into 
which he had so imprudently cntereiL Having thus escaped, and suspecting the cause 
of this unexpected attack, he resumed his usual clothes. Tiio animal immediately re- 
cognized him, and regained his former fear and docility. 
Force, however, exercises a very important influence in all animal societies. We 
even see Us influence iu places where it might be expected that Nature would oppose 
some obstacle. In a flock of Goats, the She-Goat exhibits a remarkable care for her 
young, and is ready to defend them witli her life from the attack of any stranger. 
But if one of her kids receive blows from any of the other Goats of her own flock, 
she shows no opposition to their violence, and takes no notice of the cries of her young 
one, provided that they proceed only from the blows of the other members of her 
societj. 
Cunning is so often the attendant of weakness, that wo may readily expect all 
the young animals of a herd will possess a great share of it, M. F. Cuvier observed 
a remarkable instance of this in the conduct of a young Rhesus Monkey towards his 
mother. Although she treated him in the most affectionate manner while ho was 
suckling, she would never allow him to eat any thing. He could obtain nothing ex- 
cept by stealth ; and even after he bad filled his pouches, she wrould compel him to 
disgorge. In this way, the skill and cunning of the young Monkey became 
developed in a surprising degree. He used to watch the moment for seizing his food, 
when his mother was about to turn her head or eyes, and ho always anticipated her 
movements with remarkable accuracy. 
It may readily bo expected that a herd will separate when famine prevails. Then each 
animal is attentive only to its own preservation. Some species and individuals even 
devour each other if driven to extremities. This takes place among the Rats 
and also, it has been said, among the Field Mice (^Arvicola). A dissolution of tho 
society likewise occurs, when one of the Instincts essential to its existence cannot bo 
exercised. In densely-peopled countries, tlic Beavers, instead of constructing habita 
tions, lead a solitary life in the natural excavations of tho rocks on the banks of lakes 
or rivers. 
These several facts entirely confirm the correctness of those general riews which 
have here been laid down regarding the Social Instincts of animals; and M. F. Cuvier 
has contributed more, by his talents and industrj*, to e.xpose the character and manners 
of the Mammalia, than perhaps any other Naturalist. 
The preceding observations serve to show that there results from the instinctive 
union of several individuals in herds or troops, a certain mutual dependence, which 
passes into a habit, and becomes a necessary of life. The authority of one animal 
over the other originates in force, but when once esbiblUhed, it is maintained by 
confidence, until passions more powerful than the social instinct arise, and snatch tho 
authority from the chief, to vest it in a stronger and more courageous individual. It 
is in these mingled states of peace and war that the greater number of animal societies 
pass their existence, and they aro dissolved when the instinct of self-preservation 
becomes more powerful in each individual than the Social Instinct. 
Societies of this description have nothing cither Intellectual or Moral in their 
constitution. view, with mingled feelings of astonishment and admiration, a state 
of things in which authority is roaiutaiued without force, where harmony exists 
without the influence of Re.ison, and a variety of ojipositc wants and desires, without 
discord or dissension. We can ascribe ttiis solely to the great First Cause of all things. 
The animals themselves take no active part in it, and are, under this view of the sub- 
ject, but the blind and passive instruments in the hand of an invisible and all-powcr- 
ful Being. 
^Vllen Societies of IMen approach this passive state, they bear a great resemblance 
in character to auhnal societies. It is sad to think that human nature can exist in 
such a state of degradation ; yet the accounts of enlightened traveUers inform us that 
the savage-s of New Holland, for example, lead nearly the same kind of animal life, 
where those faculties, which distinguish Man from tho other Mammalia, have scarcely 
received any development. 
It is only when the activity of Man is roused, that tho mere animal societies, which 
we have here described, assume a new appearance. Phenomena of habit then become 
piienomona of Mnscicncc. The same action which was formerly produced by mere 
likings or necessities, now results from the light of Reason. I ho authority of the 
strong and the submission of the weak become ennobled by the feeling of Duty. 
Thus Society, which among the other Mammalia is purely Instinctive, is transformed 
with civilized Man into an Intellectual and Jloral condition. 
GENER.\L REVIEW OF THE MAMMALIA CONTINUED. 
Tame Races have become wild — Alterations and Development of their Instincts and 
Intelligence vnder Domestication — Sensibility — Imitation — Sympathy — Inca- 
pacity to distinguish between. Justice and Injustice* 
The Intelligent Powers and Instincts of the Mammalia, which have formed the sub- 
ject of the preceding sections, may be made to undergo various modifications and 
alterations. There is a certain degree of perfectibility connected with each animal 
nature, and the changes induced may either affect individuals only, or be also capable 
of being transmitted permanently to their posterity. Hence arise the peculiar In- 
stincts and lutelligence of the differeni races or varieties of a given species. 
When the animals of an uninhaUtod country first encounter Mon, they exhibit no fear 
of his power, nor do they seem apprehensive of danger. The early navigators of the 
South Seas often allude to this innocent confidence of the Mammalia and Birds. Dr 
Richardson found the wild Slieep of the Rocky Mountains exhibiting that simplicity 
of character so often remarked in the domestic animal? ; and, in the retired parts of 
the mountains, where the hunters seldom penetrate, he had no difficulty in approach- 
ing them. He adds, ** where they have been often fired at, they are exceedingly 
wild ; they alarm their companions on the approach of danger by a hissing noise, and 
scale the rocks with a speed and agility that baffles pursuit.” Bat the young of all 
Mammalia, which have been much exposed to persecution, exhibit an Instinctive fear 
for strangers ; and this acquired Instinct, perpetuated by generation, may be ifiduced 
as well by any of the larger and fiercer Carnassiers as by Man. Thus Danger, 
whether proceeding from Man or other animals, may perform the converse of Domes- 
tication, and render those races wholly wild which had originally been tame. 
It has been often observed, that a certain resemblance exists between the characters 
of some classes of lilen, and of the animals with whom the}' habitually associate ; for 
example, betw'een tlie Drover and his Oxen, the Shepherd and lus Sheep, the 
Muleteer and his Mules, the Arab and his Steed. This modification is usually supposed 
lo have been undergone solely by the hlan ; but Ibis is not strictly correct, as the 
characters of the animals themselves insensibly approach that of their master and 
companion. 
jl!.lian has long ago observed the curious fact, that tho domestic animals, and espe- 
cially the Dog, acquire the faults and good qualities of the society to which they be- 
long. The Molossian Dog,” he remarks, “ is the bravest, while that of Caramania, 
like the people of that nation, is the most ferocious and the least susceptible of Domes- 
tication.” On comparing English Horses and Dogs with those of French origin, M. 
Dureau de La Malle observed certain well-marked national peculiarities which confirm 
the truth of .^lian s remark. In this way tho habits and manners of the domestic 
animals may form an index to the civilization of a great nation. Even among the 
different grades of society in the same country, wo find the animals adopting the 
peculiarities of iheir masters, and acquiring traces of their vices as well as virtues. 
The Dog which becomes so dainty when brought up in a Lady’s chamber, is ferocious 
with the Butcher, submissive in ihe poor man’s cabin, or thieving and cringing with 
tho beggar. When standing at tho Nobleman’s lodge, he even adopts the tone and 
manners of the great man’s porter. M. Edwards tells ua that he has often seen Dogs, 
educated by weak females, become excessively timid, and that this timidity was trans- 
mitted to their offspring. A Terrier-dog, born in the house of M. de La Malle, and 
treated like a spoiled child by a kind-hearted woman, who amused herself with speak- 
ing to it all day, had its sensibility brought at six month.s old to such a state, that when 
its mistress caressed the Cat, or pretended to scold tho little auimal, its large eyes 
would fill with tears, and it would cud by crying like an infant. 
In the wild and savage state, the lower animals and Man are possessed of much less 
sensibility than when domesticated or civilised. They also retain a much greater phy- 
sical power in resUting pain, and can endure without complaints the pangs of sickness, 
of deadly wounds, and all the evils arising from their original constitution or their want 
of civilization. The fortitude with which the sa\'agcs of North America and of Now 
2ealand endure torments is well-known. According to Azara, the Charruas, a savage 
race of Paraguay, do not utter a complaint even while under the knives of their enemies. 
This feebleness and want of fortitude in civilized nations has many points of ana- 
logy among tho Wolves, Foxes, and proper Dogs, when they are placed in similar 
circumstances. The domestic Dog raises a most hideous yelping if a person tread on 
his paws, pinch his ears, or give him a whipping ; but if the wild Dog, the Fox, and 
the Wolf be wounded or taken in a trap, they suffer the sharpest pangs without utter- 
ing a cry, and expire without groans, in the midst of the mosbpruel torments. The 
observed habits of tho Dingo, or wild Dog of New Holland, perhaps the wildest of 
the species, bear the same relation to the domestic Dog in the scale of sensibility. 
The ancient Greeks and Romans endured pain more patiently than the moderns. 
The Turks have nearly the same fortitude, and the differences among the tenets 
of Paganism, Islauiism, and our own, are not the sole cause; for the colonists of 
Africa, America, and New Holland, and the sturdy peasants of our own country? 
endure pain more patiently, and with less complaints, than the inhabitants of towns. 
By this circumstance alone, wo might almost be able to determine tlio degree of 
civilization among the different classes of society, and it will be found to vary usually 
in the inverse proportion of their capability to endure pain. M. de La Malle says that 
tho English, of ail European nations, take the greatest care to preserve themselves 
from sickness; that they have the greatest dread of pain; and show the least forti- 
tude and firmness when the necessity for enduring the pain is not absolute. This if 
certainly a high compliment to the civilization of our nation, although made at tb« 
expense of cur fortitude. The cause is strictly physiological. As the nervouf 
system of Man becomes more susceptible to refined and vivid impressions, it acquires 
greater irritability; and when tho imagination, with the powers of reflection and fore- 
sight, are highly developed, wc may readily expect that the intensity of the pain will 
be increased. Habit with the Savage resigns him to pain; the civilized IMan either 
discovers a remedy or roars out with anguish. 
Some Instincts do not exhibit themselves until the animals have attained a cer- 
tain age. When gnawing a bone, the Dog does not know until two months old ho^ 
