- 
879 3> on varieties of domestic animals. 115 
spect of size, q alities, appearence, natural instincts 
and faculties Between the largest sized mastiff 
dog for example, and the smallest lap dog, wien 
both are well fed, and at full growth, the difference is 
not, Ishould suppose, lefs than as ten to one of absolute 
weight. The hound, properly so called, pofsefses the 
sense of smelling in the highest perfection, so that he 
purfues his game invariably by the scent. The gaze 
bound on the other hand, is perfectly destitute of that 
,* and 
pursues it invariably by the eye only ; whence his 
name. The pointer and the spaniel though both pof- 
sefsing the sense of smelling in great perfection, as 
well as the hound, are endowed with instincts very 
sense in regard to the discrimination of game, 
different ; and exercise the sense of smell each ina 
Way peculiar to itskind. The pointer and the thep- 
herd’s dog can be each taught their lefson in their 
own stile with equal facility ; but the one can never 
be brought farther than to act by a sort of mechani- 
cal impulse, steadily to one point, while the other 
can be taught to act in some measure like a reason- 
ing animal, who 1s authorised to vary his conduct as 
circumstances require ; and does so accordingly in 
sOme cases with a cautious discretion, that exceeds 
* Here a distinction takes place, somewhat analogous to what is ob~ 
served to take place among men, with respect to the discrimination 
of musical sounds. A mam may have the sense of hearing sufficiently 
acute, yet be totally destitute of az ear for music. The grehound 
too potsefes, I-believe, the sense oi smelling in some cascs sufficiently 
, strong, yet is not able by that means to trace his game. ; 
