CANIS, a genus of Carnivorous Mammalia, of which the common Dog may be regarded as the type.
Under the Linnman genus Canis are to be found the Dogs (Canis familiaris); the Wolves (Canis Lupus); the Hymnal (Canis Hyena); the Foxes (Canis Vulpes), &c. ; the Jackals (Canis aureus); the Mexican Wolf (Canis Mexicanus), Xoloitzcuintli of Hernandez ; and Canis Thous of Surinam.
Cuvier arranges under the genus Canis Lea Chiens, the Dogs properly so called (Canis familiaris and its varieties) ; the Wolves (Canis Lupus, C. Mexicanus, C.jubatus); and the Jackals, Chacal or Loup Dora (Canis aurcus): and he observes, that the Foxes (which Mason and others have separated under the name of Vulpes) may be distinguished from the Wolves and the Dogs by their longer and more tufted tail ; by a more pointed muzzle ' • by the pupils of their eyes, which by day present a kind of longitudindi alit instead of the round form ; by the superior incisors being less lobated (Mien erdea) ; and, he observes on their fetid odour, their disposition to dig for themselves earths, and to prey upon the weaker animals. These he places in a sub-genus, including the Zerda (Jlegalotis of Illiger, Canis Megalotis of Lalande, Canis Zerda of Gmelin); at least he terms the Zerdas " espZces de renards," though he seems to consider them as a section, and notices them as the Megatotis of Illiger. The Hyama renal ice of Burehell, Hyama pieta of Temminck (Wild Dog of the Cape), terminates Cuvier's Caniche, and he then passes on to the Civets ( Virerra).
M. Lesson in his Manuel' begins the second section of the Digitigrades with the genus Canis, and he adopts the following sub. divisions : 1. Those genera which have the pupil of the eye round, including the Dogs properly so called, the Wolves, and the Jackals.
2. Those genera in which the pupil of the eye contracts vertically, the Foxes and the Zerdas.
3. The Dogs with Hymna-like feet ; the Hymna-Dog, Canis pictus, Deem., hyena pieta, Temm., Lycaon, Brookes.
The genus Canis being mostly restricted at the present day to the animals of Lesson's first section, this article will be confined to the animals commonly called Dogs, Wolves, and Jackals.
Dogs.
C. familiaris, the Dog. The specific description given by Linnteus is simply " Canis caudli (sinistrosum) recurvatit"—" dog with tail curled towards the left "—and his lengthened description, after enumerating the varieties, of which he gives eleven, though it may appear to some almost ridiculously minute and not very delicate, is eminently characteristic. Cuvier observes that the Domestic Dog
(Canis familiaris, Linn.), is distinguished by its recurved tail, and that it varies infinitely besides in stature, form, colour, and the quality of the hair. It exhibits, he adds, "the most singular, the most complete, and the most useful conquest that man has made. The whole species is become our property ; each individual is entirely devoted to his master, adopts his manners, distinguishes and defends his property, and remains attached to him even unto death ; and all this springs not from mere necessity, nor from constraint, but simply from reconnaissance and a true friendship. The swiftness, the strength, and the highly developed power of smelling of the dog, have made Lim a powerful ally of man against the other animals, and were perhaps necessary to the establishment of society. It is the only animal that has followed man all over the earth." It is a question of considerable interest as to what was the parent stock of the Dog. Some zoologists are of opinion that the breed is derived from the Wolf; others that it is a familiarised Jackal ; all agree that no trace of it is to be found in a primitive state of nature. That there were dogs or rather animals of the canine form in Europe long ago we have evidence from their remains, which we shall presently notice; and that there are wild dogs we know. India, for example, affords many of them, living in a state of complete inde pendence, and without any indication of a wish to approach the dwellings of man. These dogs, though they have been accurately noticed by competent observers, do not throw much light on the question. They may have escaped from the dominion or half dominion of man, and have betaken themselves to a vagabond life. It becomes necessary however to examine into the state of these dogs, some of which are entirely wild and keep to the mountain and forest, whilst others hang about the villages, and though without owners give tokens of a more social disposition, and are tolerated as the scavengers of the place, which they clear of disgusting incumbrances, somewhat after the Portuguese fashion.