THE GREYHOUND. 



continually crossing with the pure Greyhound, the outward shape of the thick and 

 sturdy bull-dog is entirely merged in the more graceful animal, while his stubborn 

 pertinacity remains implanted in his nature. 



The skeleton of the Greyhound is a curious one, and when viewed from behind, 

 bears a man'ellous rescml)lance to that of the ostrich. 



Tiie narrow head and sharp nose of the Greyhound, useful as they are for aid- 

 ing the progress of the animal by removing every impediment to its passage 

 through the atmosphere, yet deprive it of a most valuable faculty, that of chasing 

 by scent. Tiie muzzle is so narrow in })roportion to its length, that the nasal 

 nerves have no room for proper development, and hence the animal is very 

 deficient in its powers of scent. The same circumstance may be noted in manv 

 other animals. 



There are many acknowledged breeds of Greyhounds, including the English 

 Greyhound just described, the Irish, Scotch, Russian, and IVi*sian Greyliounds. 

 Hesides these aiiimals there is the little puny creature which is called the Italian 

 Greyhound. 



The Irish GREvnoi'\n is a remarkably tine animal, being four feet in length, 

 and very tirndy built. Its hair is of a i)ale fawn colour, and nmch rougher than 

 that of the smooth English Grevhomid. 



The Scotch Greyhound is still i-ougher in its coat than its Irish relative, but 

 hardly so large in its make : a very fine example of these Dogs, of the pure Glen- 

 garry breed, measures twenty-eight inches in height, and thirty-four inches in 

 girth. 



There seems to be but one breed of the Scotch Greyhound, although some 

 families arc termed Deerhoimds, aiul otlieis are only called Grevhounds. Each how- 

 ever, from being constantly employed in the chase of either deer or hare, becomes 

 gradually fitted for the pursuit of its special quariy, and contracts certain habits 

 which render it comparatively useless when set to chase the wrong animal. The 

 Scotch Dcerhound is posses.sed of better powei*s of scent than the Greyhound, and 

 in chasing its game depends as much on its nose as on its eyes. And it is curious 

 too, that although it makes use of its olfactory powers, when nmning it holds its 

 head higher from the ground than the Greyhound, which only uses its eyes. 



The Russi.\n Greyhound is also gifted with the power of nmning by scent, 

 and is employed at the present day for the same purposes which Irish Greyhounds 

 subseiTcd in former days. 



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