22 EXTINCT BRITISH ANIMALS. 
galleys, must, we fear, for ever remain matters for 
speculation. We do not even know the precise 
period at which these very hazardous consignments 
were made; but it may be assumed to have been 
probably about the same time that Wolf-dogs were 
being exported to Rome, which we know was about 
the latter end of the fourth century. A Roman 
consul of that day, Symmachus by name, writing to 
his brother Flavinus over here, thanks him for a 
present he made him of some dogs which he calls 
Canes Scotic?, and which were shown at the Circen- 
sian games, to the great astonishment of the people, 
who could not believe it possible to bring them to 
Rome otherwise than in iron cages. It was no doubt 
in iron cages that the Bears were transported. 
Some commentators have supposed that the dogs 
here referred to were English mastiffs; but it may 
be remarked that for some time before Symmachus 
lived, and for many centuries after, Ireland was well 
known by the name of Scotia, and the appellation 
“Canes Scotici,” while inapplicable to English 
uastiffs, would be appropriate to Irish wolf-hounds. 
Moreover, the dogs upon which the highest value 
was always set in former times were those which 
were of use for the chase of wild animals, and we 
know from various sources that Wolf-dogs were held 
in such esteem as to be considered worthy the 
acceptance of monarchs, and were frequently sent 
abroad as presents to foreign potentates.* 
* See an article by the writer, on the Irish Wolf-dog, in Baily’s 
Magazine for September, 1879. 
