The Origin of Man and of His SuperstitionsRead, Carveth
Philosophy
The Origin of Man and of His Superstitions
Read, Carveth
Animism; Human beings -- Origin; Magic; Superstition; Totemism
(9) For the internal cohesion of the pack, there must be the equivalent
of a recognised table of precedence amongst its members; and this is
reconciled with the spirit of emulation, by fighting until each knows
his place, followed by complete submission on the part of the inferior.
Mr. Th. Roosevelt says of a pack of dogs employed in bear-hunting,
“at feeding-time each took whatever his strength permitted, and each
paid abject deference to whichever animal was his known superior
in prowess.”[46] Mr. W. H. Hudson writes of dogs on cattle-breeding
establishments on the pampas, that he presumes “they are very much like
feral dogs and wolves in their habits. Their quarrels are incessant;
but when a fight begins the head of the pack, as a rule, rushes to
the spot,” and tries to part the combatants—not always successfully.
“But from the foremost in strength and power down to the weakest
there is a gradation of authority; each one knows just how far he can
go, which companion he can bully when in a bad temper or wishing to
assert himself, and to which he must humbly yield in his turn.”[47]
The situation reminds one of a houseful of schoolboys, and of how
ontogeny repeats phylogeny. Where political control is very feeble,
as in mining camps or backwoods settlements, civilised men revert to
the same conditions. Fifty years ago, “all along the frontier between
Canada and the United States, every one knew whom he could lick, and
who could lick him.”[48] Amongst Australian aborigines, we are told
that “precedence counts for very much.”[49]
(10) A pack of wolves relies not merely upon running down its prey,
but resorts to various stratagems to secure it: as by surrounding it;
heading it off from cover; driving it over a precipice; arranging
relays of pursuers, who take up the chase when the first begin to flag;
setting some to lie in ambush while the rest drive the prey in their
direction. Such devices imply intelligent co-operation, some means of
communicating ideas, patience and self-control in the interests of the
pack and perseverance in carrying out a plan. Failure to co-operate
effectually is said to be punished with death. Primitive man, beginning
with more brains than a wolf, may be supposed soon to have discovered
such arts and to have improved upon them.
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