INTRODUCTION, 
XIX 
and their cunning is but weakness. In their 
fellow brutes, they have an enemy whom they can 
oppose with an equality of advantage ; they can 
oppose fraud or swiftness to force ; or numbers 
to invasion ; but what can be done against such an 
enemy as man, who finds them out though unseen, 
and though remote destroys them ? Wherever he 
comes, all the contest among the meaner ranks seem 
to be at an end, or is carried only by surprise. 
Such as he has thought proper to protect, have 
calmly submitted to his protection ; such as he 
has found convenient to destroy, carry on an un- 
equal war, and their numbers are every day de- 
creasing. 
The wild animal is subject to few alterations ; 
and, in a state of savage nature, continues for ages 
the same, in size, shape, and colour. But it is 
otherwise when subdued, and taken under the pro- 
tection of man ; its external form, and even its 
internal structure, are altered by human assiduity : 
and this is one of the first and greatest causes of the 
variety that we see among the several quadrupeds 
of the same species. Man appears to have changed 
the very nature of domestic animals, by cultiva- 
tion and care. A domestic animal is a slave that 
seems to have few other desires but such as maxi 
is willing to allow it. Humble, patient, resigned, 
and attentive, it fills up the duties of its station ; 
^eady for labour, and content with subsistence. 
Almost all domestic animals seem to bear the, 
marks of servitude strong upon them. All the 
