This genus comprehends twenty-one species, several of which, particularly the C. familiaris:include numerous varieties. The following appear principally deserv ing of notice.
The C. familiaris, or the familiar dog, of which the variety known by the name of the shepherd's dog is imagined to ap proach most nearly to the original animal. Its use is inferible from its designation. It keeps the flock collected, and defends it from injury. In the Alps, and some other regions of Europe, it is considerably larger and stronger than in England. See Mammalia, Plate V. fig. 1.
Another variety is the dingo, Australa sian, or New Holland dog. Plate V. fig. 2. This dog does not bark so readily as the European dogs: its appearance much resembles the larger kind of the shep herd's dog, and it is extremely fierce and untraceable.
The Pomeranian dog, another variety, is generally white, and is distinguished, among several characteristics, by the cur vature of its tail, extending very nearly to a circle. Plate V. fig. 3.
A fourth variety is the Siberian. These dogs are frequently employed in Siberia and Kamtschatka, in drawing sledges on the frozen snow, and four or six of them yoked to a sledge will convey three per sons with the usual quantity of baggage, forty miles or more in a day. The exer tions of these dogs, however, are more to be praised than their fidelity or attach ment. Their perverseness and subtlety are a source of great vexation to their em ployers, who, however, notwithstanding the malignity and cunning they are thus so incessantly called upon to counteract, find these animals indispensable to the convenience and intercourse of these arc tic regions. See Plate V. fig. 4.
The Iceland dog is but little different from the last, as will be seen by a refer ence to Plate V. fig. 5. Its general colour is black.
For the great barbet, see Plate V. fig. 6.
The blood-hound was, some ages since, highly esteemed in England, and much employed in the pursuit of robbers. The accuteness of its smell is so extraordinary, that it has traced a man to the distance of seven miles, along a much frequented high-way, and through several market towns, to the very upper room in which he was taking refreshment.
The Irish grey-bound, now extremely rare even in Ireland itself, is perhaps the most beautiful and majestic, as well as the largest of all dogs. It was this dog which was principally employed in clear ing the island of wolves. It is, however, unfit for hunting foxes, hares, or stags, and is kept by a few persons merely for its beauty and size. Dr. Goldsmith has seen one four feet high.
The mastiff, another variety, is of a very strong and thick structure, with a large head, and the sides of the lips pendulous. In the reign of James I. a trial of its vigour and courage was made in the Tower of London, and three mastiffs being opposed to a lion, two were mutilated and disabled, but the third obliged the lion to have re.
course to flight.
The terrier, another variety, is much employed in unearthing foxes, and to all those quardrupeds, which are compre hended in the class of Vermin, bears the strongest antipathy. A well-trained ter rier is frequently found an over-match even for the fierce and hardy badger. This dog is extremely useful as an attend.. ant on every pack of hounds, to compel the game from its close cover of earth or thicket.
The chief peculiarities of the species, of which these few varieties out of many have been riven, are these. It cultivates the society of man; has rarely been found wild ; feeds on flesh and farinaceous vegetables, but not on greens ; it digests bones; urines frequently, holding up its leg ; dungs upon a stone ; vomits itself by grass; runs in an oblique direction ; very rarely sweats, but lolls out its tongue when hot. The male young resemble the dog, and the female the bitch. It is ex tremely docile, affectionate, and vigilant, in its intercourse with man ; it eats with a glancing and envious eye; has a great aversion to strangers. and particularly to beggars; licks wounds; hears and dreams in its sleep ; sets up a bowl on hearing musical sounds ; and bites stones thrown at it ; possesses a most acute Sense of smell ; is liable to gonorrhcea ; is subject also to madness, which it imparts by biting, and in old age is addicted to gnaw ing itself. It is regarded by the followers of Mahom et as unclean.