62 PLACE- AND FIELD NAMES OF DERBYSHIRE. 
The dog or hound (und) is found in Hunpow, near Dronfield, 
and HounsFiEtp (T.C., North Wingfield), but names with this 
prefix rarely occur, and then only in localities where forests have 
formerly existed. Considerable attention was paid to the breeding 
of dogs for the purposes of the chase by the ancient Britons. 
This was an absolute necessity, for venison constituted the great 
portion of their animal food. These dogs were largely exported 
to the Continent by the Romans, on account of their admirable 
capacities for hunting.* When Athelstan defeated the Welsh king, 
Constantine, after imposing upon him a considerable tribute of 
money and cattle, he further enjoined him to supply a certain 
number of hawks and sharp-scented dogs, fit for the hunting of 
wild beasts.t 
These dogs were probably greyhounds, a breed which was held 
in such estimation that a law of Canute prohibits their being kept 
by any one under the rank of a noble. 
The names of CaTCLIFFE, CATHOLE, CATGREAVE (T.C., 
Hazelwood), and Cats’ Tor, probably refer either to the wild cat, 
or the marten, which are more plainly mentioned in WiLpD CaT 
Cote and MarTINSIDE. These animals, as well as a third and 
distinct species, the Polecat ( Viverra Putorius ), used all to abound 
in the Peak district. The Marten ( Viverra Foina) has been found 
wild within the last forty years. The domestic cat, which is 
merely a reclaimed wild cat (/é/is catus), would be much valued 
by the earliest inhabitants of Derbyshire. The Celts in this 
island do not appear to have shared the dislike and superstition 
with which this animal was regarded by other Pagan nations. In 
the old Welsh laws a kitten, from its birth till it could see, is 
valued at 1d. ; from that time till it began to mouse at 2d. ; after 
it had killed mice at 4d., which was the same price that was then 
given for a calf or weaned pig. If, however, upon purchase she 
did not prove a mouser, or caterwauled once a month, 3d. was to 
be refunded !! Some writers have conjectured that the first tame 
cats were brought here from Cyprus by the foreign tin merchants, 
* Strabo, lib. iv. Czesar, Bel, Gal., lib. vi. 
+ Malmsbury, de Gest. Reg. Ang/., lib ii. cap. 6. 
