Origin of Species Variorum

Comparison with 1861

Text in this page (from paragraph 1500, sentence 230, word 34 to paragraph 1500, sentence 400, word 64) is not present in 1861

Since the recent discoveries of flint tools or celts in the superficial deposits of France and England, few geologists will doubt that man, in a sufficiently civilized state to have manufactured weapons, existed at a period extremely remote as measured by years; and we know that at the present day there is hardly a tribe so barbarous as not to have domesticated at least the dog. ↑

The origin of most of our domestic animals will probably for ever remain vague. But I may here state, that looking to the domestic dogs of the whole world, I have, after a laborious collection of all known facts, come to the conclusion that several wild species of Canidæ have been tamed, and that their blood, more or less mingled, flows in the veins of our many domestic breeds. In regard to sheep and goats I can form no opinion. I should think, from facts communicated to me by Mr. Blyth, on the habits, voice, and constitution, &c., of the humped Indian cattle, it is probable that these descended from a different aboriginal stock from our European cattle; and several competent judges believe that these latter have had more than one wild parent. ↑ With respect to horses, from reasons which I cannot give here, I am doubtfully inclined to believe, in opposition to several authors, that all the races have descended from one wild stock. Mr. Blyth, whose opinion, from his large and varied stores of knowledge, I should value more than that of almost any one, thinks that all the breeds of poultry have proceeded from the

the domesticated animals, kept by the different tribes and in different districts, might have varied and given rise to distinct races. ↑ Since the .. discovery of flint tools or celts in the superficial formations of France and England, all geologists believe that man in a barbarous condition existed at an enormously remote period; and we know that at the present day there is hardly a tribe so barbarous as not to have domesticated at least the dog.

The origin of most of our domestic animals will probably for ever remain vague. But I may here state, that, looking to the domestic dogs of the whole world, I have, after a laborious collection of all known facts, come to the conclusion that several wild species of Canidæ have been tamed, and that their blood, more or less mingled together, flows in the veins of our many domestic breeds. In regard to sheep and goats I can form no opinion. ... From facts communicated to me by Mr. Blyth, on the habits, voice, .. constitution, and structure of the humped Indian cattle, it is probable that these are descended from a different aboriginal stock from our European cattle; and some competent judges believe that these latter have had several wild parents, — whether or not these deserve to be called species or races. This conclusion, as well as the specific distinction between the humped and common cattle, may indeed be looked at as almost established by the recent admirable researches of Professor Rütimeyer. With respect to horses, from reasons which I cannot here give, I am with much doubt inclined to believe, in opposition to several authors, that all the races have descended from one wild stock. Mr. Blyth, whose opinion, from his large and varied stores of knowledge, I should value more than that of almost any one, thinks that all the breeds of poultry have proceeded from the