Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ... the dog. chapter I. breeding, feeding and lodging. Recall the traveller, whose altered form Has borne the buffet of the mountain storm; And who will first his fond impatience meet? His faithful dog's already at his feet! Yes; though the porter spurn him from the door, Though all that knew him know his face no more, His faithful dog shall tell his joy to each With that mute eloquence which passeth speech. Rogers. Dogs, in common with all domestic animals, require crossing after the second generation. This is the more necessary in the case of domesticated animals, because, otherwise, the work of procreation would often be effected by those of inferior physical and spiritual endowments, and degeneracy would naturally follow; an evil less apt to occur among animals in their wild state, because there the favours of the female are fought for with mortal fierceness, and are generally engrossed by the most spirited and powerful. Hence no striking and general deterioration takes, place. The lion, the bear, the wolf, the tiger, and the deer, are the same now, in colour, form, size and vigour, that they have ever been. The male which this year establishes and monopolises, each to himself, his harem, or his particular mate, by sheer superiority of courage and strength combined, is generally obliged to yield his envied privileges, the ensuing season, to others who follow him, in the vigour of youth, wilh higher physical capacity; so that nature herself provides against too much breeding "in and in" and the deteriorating consequences of incestuous intercourse! But where animals have come under subjection to social uses, and the art of man, it becomes necessary to manage the business of procreation with the greatest skill, having the strictest...
