THE GREYHOUND. 123 



breathing organs, and the elevated hind quarters, says Mrs. 

 Bowdich, all shadow forth the peculiar qualities of these 

 dogs. Their coat has been adapted to the climate in which 

 they originally lived: here it is smooth; but becomes more 

 shaggy as they are from colder regions." "The Scotch 

 Greyhound (Cants Scoticus)," she continues, " generally white, 

 with black clouds, is said to be the most intellectual of all, 

 and formerly to have had so good a scent as to be employed 

 as a bloodhound. Maida, whose name is immortalized as 

 the favourite of Sir Walter Scott, was a Scottish greyhound. 

 The Irish is the largest of all the western breeds, and is 

 supposed to owe this distinction to mingling with the great 

 Danish dog. To it Ireland owes the extirpation of wolves, 

 though it now scarcely exists itself but in name." 



The greyhound is now principally bred for sporting purposes, 

 coursing being the favourite amusement. The great speed and 

 endurance of the dog is shown in this pastime. Mr. Jesse records 

 several instances of dogs who have died from exhaustion 

 rather than give up the chase, in one of which it is stated 

 that two dogs and a hare were found dead within a 

 few yards of each other after a run of several miles. Mr. 

 Daniel in his rural sports gives an instance in which a 

 brace of greyhounds chased a hare a distance of four 

 miles in twelve minutes. 



The Greyhound's Washington Irving tells the following story 

 Affection. o f a greyhound's affection for his master. " An 

 officer named St. Leger, who was imprisoned in Vincennes 

 (near Paris) during the wars of St. Bartholomew, wished to 

 keep with him a greyhound that he had brought up, and 

 which was much attached to him; but they harshly refused 

 him this innocent pleasure, and sent away the greyhound to 

 his house in the Rue des Lions Saint Paul. The next day 

 the greyhound returned alone to Vincennes, and began to 

 bark under the windows of the tower, where the officer was 

 confined. St. Leger approached, looked through the bars, 



