The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to SexDarwin, Charles
History
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
Darwin, Charles
Evolution (Biology); Human beings -- Origin; Sex differences; Sexual dimorphism (Animals); Sexual selection in animals
they disliked, as well as other animals, in various ingenious ways.
Most of the more complex emotions are common to the higher animals and
ourselves. Every one has seen how jealous a dog is of his master’s
affection, if lavished on any other creature; and I have observed the
same fact with monkeys. This shews that animals not only love, but have
desire to be loved. Animals manifestly feel emulation. They love
approbation or praise; and a dog carrying a basket for his master
exhibits in a high degree self-complacency or pride. There can, I
think, be no doubt that a dog feels shame, as distinct from fear, and
something very like modesty when begging too often for food. A great
dog scorns the snarling of a little dog, and this may be called
magnanimity. Several observers have stated that monkeys certainly
dislike being laughed at; and they sometimes invent imaginary offences.
In the Zoological Gardens I saw a baboon who always got into a furious
rage when his keeper took out a letter or book and read it aloud to
him; and his rage was so violent that, as I witnessed on one occasion,
he bit his own leg till the blood flowed. Dogs shew what may be fairly
called a sense of humour, as distinct from mere play; if a bit of stick
or other such object be thrown to one, he will often carry it away for
a short distance; and then squatting down with it on the ground close
before him, will wait until his master comes quite close to take it
away. The dog will then seize it and rush away in triumph, repeating
the same manoeuvre, and evidently enjoying the practical joke.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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