248 On Sheep-killing Dogs. 
The flesh is rendered worthless by their rabid bite, and 
rapidly putrefies. 
A gentleman, from Maryland, informed me, that, in 
his neighbourhood, a dog-trap was constructed, of strong 
common fence rails, and so formed, that dogs can enter 
(inclined poles beiag placed outside, as gang-ways) 
but cannot escape. It is a strong pen, raised eight or 
ten feet high, and horizontally covered with heavy 
rails, except a small opening in the centre, through 
which a dog leaps down. It is baited with dead, or 
worthless living, sheep. Recently, near his residence, 
seven dogs were, in one night, caught in this trap. They 
had killed, in that neighbourhood, within the ten days 
preceding, 130 sheep. 
A flock, after being worried by dogs, does not soon 
recover from the panic excited by their misfortune. 
But in time they become tranquil; though, at first, 
the distant bark, but more the sight, of any dog afflicts 
them with dismay. Their consternation, for a time, imi- 
tates, in an humble degree, that of AZiton’s victims to 
more fearful and merited vengeance ; when 
‘¢ Horror on them fell, 
And horrid sympathy.” 
But I do not perceive, in my dicomfited flock, that the 
lap-ear is in the least erected, under their continual ap- 
prehensions. Their ears (which they project frequently, 
but do not much elevate) still remain pendant; yet, if 
they have any consciousness on the subject, they must 
feel a conviction, that their protector-man—has not 
been vigilant in his guardianship. Their /egs have the 
most sympathy with their fears, when a dog presents 
himself to their view. ‘Though generally quiescent, yet, 
