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galton.org 193
Domestication of Animals
193
remained would assuredly be selected for slaughter, whenever it was
necessary that one of the flock should be killed. The tamest cattle—those
that seldom ran away, that kept the flock together and led them
homewards—would be preserved alive longer than any of the others. It is
therefore these that chiefly become the parents of stock, and bequeath
their domestic aptitudes to the future herd. I have constantly witnessed
this process of selection among the pastoral savages of South Africa. I
believe it to be a very important one, on account of its rigour and its
regularity. It must have existed from the earliest times, and have been in
continuous operation, generation after generation, down to the present
day.
Exceptions.—I have already mentioned the African elephant, the North
American reindeer, and the apparent, but not real exception of the North
American turkey. I should add the ducks and geese of North America, but
I cannot consider them in the light of a very strong case, for a savage who
constantly changes his home is not likely to carry aquatic birds along with
him. Beyond these few, I know of no notable exceptions to my theory.
Summary.
I see no reason to suppose that the first domestication of any animal,
except the elephant, implies a high civilisation among the people who
established it. I cannot believe it to have been the result of a preconceived
intention, followed by elaborate trials, to administer to the comfort of
man. Neither can I think it arose from one successful effort made by an
individual, who might thereby justly claim the title of benefactor to his
race; but, on the contrary, that a vast number of half-unconscious attempts
have been made throughout the course of ages, and that ultimately, by
slow degrees, after many relapses, and continued selection, our several
domestic breeds became firmly established.
I will briefly restate what appear to be the conditions under which wild
animals may become domesticated :—1, they should be hardy; 2, they
should have an inborn liking for man; 3, they should be comfort-loving; 4,
they should be found useful to the savages; 5, they should breed freely; 6,
they should be easy to tend.
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