1 — Dental formula: incisors, 6 – • canines, — 1— • molars, — = 42.
6 1-1 Such is M. Lesson's statement of the dentition of the great genus Canis of Linnaeus. F. Cuvier says that Dogs in general have 40 teeth, namely, six incisors, two canines, three false molars, one carnassier, and two tubercular teeth in the upper jaw; and six incisors, two canines, three false molars, one carnassier, and two tubercular teeth in the lower jaw. Of all these teeth, he observes, none change their shape in any appreciable degree in any race what ever. Only there is sometimes found an additional false molar or tubercular tooth.
which is itself placed in relation with the seaphoid bone, the second cuneiform bone, and the second bone of the metatarsus, counting as oue the rudiment in question. But in the dogs that have the fifth toe complete, a fourth cuneiform bone is developed between the first and the second toe, and in that case, in some varieties, the great cuneiform bone elevates itself, and on its internal side offers a large articulating facet to the astragalus.
The tail is very variable in the number of caudal vertebrae, which range from twenty-one down to three or even two.
Of dogs which have been regarded as varieties or species, one of the most remarkable is the Australian Dog, or Dingo (Canis Dingo of Blumenbach). It is so wolf-like in its appearance, that Bewick figures it as the New-South-Wales Wolf.' Governor Philip describes the height of this species, when standing erect, as rather less than 2 feet, and the length 2i feet. The head, he says, is formed much like that of a fox, the ears short and erect, with whiskers from 1 to 2 inches in length on the muzzle. The general colour of the upper parts is pale brown, growing lighter towards the belly ; the hind part of the fore legs and the fore part of the hinder ones white, as are the feet of both; the tail is of a moderate length, somewhat bushy, but in a less degree than that of a fox : the teeth, he adds, are much the same as is usual iu the genus.
Fore feet with five toes; hind feet with four toes; claws not retractile.
This description may be considered as accurate, with the exception that the animal generally bears a greater affinity to the Wolf than the Fox. " It has," says the author last quoted, describing a female, "much of the manners of the dog, but is of a very savage nature, and not likely to change in this particular. It laps like other dogs, but neither barks nor growls if vexed and teased ; instead of which it erects the hairs of the whole body like bristles, and seems furious : it is very eager after its prey, and is fond of rabbits or chickens raw, btet will not touch dressed meat. From its fierceness and agility it has greatly the advantage of other animals much superior in size; for a very fine French fox-dog being put to it, in a moment it seized him Generally speaking all dogs have five toes on the fore feet and four on the hind feet, with the rudiment of a fifth metatarsal bone, which does not show itself externally. Nevertheless some dogs have this fifth toe very long and well proportioned, and advancing as far as the origin of the first phalanx of the neighbouring toe; and in those dogs which have only a rudimentary fifth bone of the tarsus, this bone articulates itself to the lower facet of the great cuneiform bone, by the loins, and would have soon put an end to his existence had not help been at hand. With the utmost ease it is able to leap over
the back of an ass, and was very near worrying one to death, having fastened on it so that the creature was not able to disengage himself without maistance : it has also been known to run down both deer and sheep. A second of these is in the posseasion of Mr. lascelles, of which we have received much the same account in respect of its ferocity ; whence it is scarcely to be expected that this elegant animal will ever become familiar." Mr. Bell, in his work above quoted, describes the first effect of the dominion of man upon this wolf-like dog :—" The effect of domesti cation in producing variation in colour, to which allusion has already been made, has lately been exhibited in a very striking and interesting manner in the menagerie of the Zoological Society. An Australian bitch, or Dingo, had a litter of puppies, the father of which was also of that breed : both of them had been taken in the wild state, but were of the uniform reddish brown colour which belongs to the race, and the mother had never bred before ; but the young, bred in con finement and iu a half-domesticated state, were all of them more or less spotted." If we turn to the dogs of other comparatively uncivilised nations, we find the prick ears and other indications of the half-reclaimed animal. The Esquimau% Dog (Canis familiaris Borealis), and the Hare-Indian or Mackenzie River Dog (Canis familiaria Lagornts), will occur as instances to those who have been familiar—and who is not /—with the histories of our northern expeditions and the Garden of the Zoolo= gical Society of London in the Regent's Park. In that menagerie the three doge last named might at one time be seen side by side, affording the best opportunities for comparison. Peter, the Esquimaux Dog, kept in the garden, was of a dingy-white with a tinge of yellow on the upper parts, gradually fading away upon the sides ; in short, of nearly a uniform colour ; but in general this race exhibits a predo minance of black markings. Thus Airshelli, brought from the Polar Sea by Mr. Richards in Captain Parry's first voyage, and described by Mr. Children in the ' Zoological Journal,' was almost entirely blackish, or of a colour nearly approaching to black on the upper parts, and white underneath, tail included. Akahelli seldom barked, but if dis pleased uttered a low wolfish growl, and was a very powerful dog. Peter was brought to this country by Lieutenant Henderson, one of the companions of Captain Ross, in his first voyage, and lived long at the Regent's Park. He was very good tempered and familiar. The Bare-Indian Dogs, it is said, are never known to bark in their own country ; and it is worthy of note that those which were brought from thence to the Regent's Park never barked at all, but the younger one which was born here barked like the other dogs. It is curious to observe these steps.