278 CARNIVORA. 



his hold, but tears his teeth away with great force. His coat is rough 

 and long, with a short, woolly undercoat, which keeps it warm even when 

 immersed for a long time. • 



The Dachshund is one of the most ancient forms of the dog. The 

 well-bred specimens \veigh about sixteen pounds, have a long body with 

 a curved back, short crooked forelegs, large head with hanging ears ; the 

 tail is thick at the root, but tapers off and is carried to one side ; the hair 

 is short, smooth, and stiff: the usual color is black or black-and-tan ; the 

 bark is very loud and deep. As their German name implies, they are 

 chiefly used for attacking badgers in their hole. 



The Turnspit seems a variety of the Dachs which has been con- 

 demned to menial labor. At one extremitv of the spit was fastened a 

 large circular box, or hollow wheel, something like the wire wheels 

 which are so often appended to squirrel-cages ; and in this wheel the dog 

 was accustomed to perform its daily task, by keeping it continually work- 

 ing. As the labor would be too great for a single dog, it was usual to 

 keep at least two animals for the purpose, and to make them relieve each 

 other at regular intervals. The dogs were quite able to appreciate the 

 lapse of time, and if not relieved from their toils at the proper hour, 

 would leap out of the wheel without orders, and force their companions 

 to take their place and complete their portion of the daily toil. The 

 thoroughbred Turnspit is very rare, although spits are said by travelers 

 to be still turned by canine labor in some parts of France. 



The Bloodhound (^Plate XV) derives his name from his power of 

 scenting blood, and his proper use is to single out a wounded deer from 

 the herd, and to keep steadily on the trail ; when thus engaged he utters 

 a long, loud, and deep bav. His talents were very soon emploved to 

 trace human beings, but at present he is used in England onl}- for hunting 

 fallow-deer. A pretty pure breed of Bloodhounds can still be found in 

 some of the Southern States. He is extremely irascible, and therefore 

 not fitted to be a companion. He stands about two feet high ; the ears 

 .measure eight to ten inches ; the forehead is long and narrow ; the lips 

 loose and hanging ; color black-tan or a reddish-fawn ; the tail long and 

 sweeping. 



The Bloodhound, when once laid on the scent, will follow the trail 

 through a hundred crossing- footsteps, and can be baffled only by water 

 or blood. The latter, if spi't on the track, kills the weaker scent of the 

 fugitive's footsteps, and the former holds no scent. 



