In all genera in which the distinction of male and female is
found, Nature makes a similar differentiation in the mental
characteristics of the two sexes. This differentiation is the most
obvious in the case of human kind and in that of the larger animals
and the viviparous quadrupeds. In the case of these latter the
female softer in character, is the sooner tamed, admits more readily
of caressing, is more apt in the way of learning; as, for instance, in
the Laconian breed of dogs the female is cleverer than the male. Of
the Molossian breed of dogs, such as are employed in the chase are
pretty much the same as those elsewhere; but sheep-dogs of this
breed are superior to the others in size, and in the courage with
which they face the attacks of wild animals.
Dogs that are born of a mixed breed between these two kinds
are remarkable for courage and endurance of hard labour.
In all cases, excepting those of the bear and leopard, the
female is less spirited than the male; in regard to the two
exceptional cases, the superiority in courage rests with the female.
With all other animals the female is softer in disposition than the
male, is more mischievous, less simple, more impulsive, and more
attentive to the nurture of the young: the male, on the other hand, is
more spirited than the female, more savage, more simple and less
cunning.
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