On Sheep-killing Dogs. 249 
on such occasions, as well as in their sportive frolicks, 
they decidedly prove that “‘ the shepherd who first ob- 
served this Lusus Nature,’ had none of this race ‘‘in his 
flock. So far are they from being ‘‘unwieldy,”’ that, when 
terrified, or playful, operated upon by different stimuli, — 
they are “‘swift as the roes on the mountains.’”? Thus 
were of old the Gadites ; who, being of the country in 
which broad tailed sheep originated, and were universal, 
probably were masters of flocks composed of this race 
of the Laticaude, if they were as wise as they were 
valiant.* But it often happens, that sheep in their flight, 
however rapid at times, face frequently round; and, 
torpid with fear, await destruction. 
A spirit for extending profitably our attention to the 
faising this highly useful animal the sheep, appearing 
now to be alive in all quarters of our country, it is our 
interest, as well as a duty we owe to the community, to 
be assistant in every way ; and particularly to the exe- 
cution of the laws on the subject. It is in the power 
of every body to assist; positively or negatively. No 
unnecessary dogs should be kept. If numbers were les- 
sened, those retained would be well fed; and few or 
none compelled to wander in search of prey. Not only 
sheep killing, but diseases and madness, in dogs, are 
frequently effects, cither immediate or consequent, of 
keen and long continued hunger; which stimulates to 
gorging voraciously on whatever esculent they find; and 
not seldom on putrid and unwholesome food. The rabid 
* It is not improbable that the kind we call Tunis sheep, 
are to be found in parts of Asza; where the Latzcaudé are of 
great varicties. 
VOL. II. ae 
