284 CARNIVORA. 



THE SAINT BERNARD AND MASTIFF. 



The Saint Bernard Dog (Plate XV). These splendid dogs, which 

 belong to the group of Spaniels, are among the largest of the canine 

 race, being equal in size to a large mastiff. The good work which is done 

 by them is so well known that it is only necessary to give a passing 

 reference. Bred among the coldest regions of the Alps, and accus- 

 tomed from its birth to the deep snows which everlastingly cover the 

 mountain-top, the St. Bernard Dog is a most useful animal in discover- 

 ing any unfortunate traveler who has been overtaken by a sudden storm 

 and lost the path, or who has fallen upon the cold ground, worn out bv 

 fatigue and hardship, and sunk into the death-sleep which is the result 

 of severe cold. Whenever a snow-storm occurs, the monks belonging 

 to the monastery of St. Bernard send forth their dogs on their errand 

 of mercy. Taught by the wonderful instinct with which they are 

 endowed, they traverse the dangerous paths, and seldom fail to discover 

 the frozen sufferer, even though he be buried under a deep snow-drift. 

 When the dog has made such a discovery, it gives notice by its deep 

 and powerful bay of the perilous state of the sufferer, and endeavors to 

 clear away the snow that covers the lifeless form. 



The monks, hearing the voice of the dog, immediately set off" to the 

 aid of the perishing traveler, and in many cases have thus preserved 

 lives that must have perished without their timely assistance. In order 

 to afford every possible help to the sufferer, a small flask of spirits is 

 generally tied to the dog's neck. 



There arc two varieties, the rough and smooth haired, the former 

 of a tawny brindle color, the latter red and white with a broad white 

 collar. 



The Mastiff (Plate XVT) is a noble-looking dog, and when pure 

 bred is remarkably good-natured, and seems to delight in affording 

 (protection to the weak, either of men or dogs. 



The head of the Mastiff bears a certain similitude to that of the blood- 

 hound and the bulldog, possessing the pendent lips and squared muzzle 

 of the former, with the heavy muscular development of the latter. 

 The undcr-jaw sometimes protrudes a little, but the teeth arc not left 

 uncovered by the upper lip, as is the case with the latter animal. The 

 fur of the Mastiff is always smooth, and its color varies between a uni- 



