84 THE REASON WHY : 



" The poor dog ! in life the firmest fiend, 

 The first to welcome, foremost to defend ; 



Whose honest heart is still his master's own, 



Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone." BYROX. 



master returned, and, the moment his voice was heard, the wolf recognised him, 

 and lavished on his old friend the most affectionate caresses. A second separation 

 followed, which lasted three years, and again the long-remembered voice was recog- 

 nised, and replied to with impatient cries ; after which, rushing on his master, he 

 licked his face with every mark of joy, menacing his keepers, towards whom In. 

 had just before been exhibiting fondness. A third separation occurred, and he 

 became gloomy and melancholy. He suffered the caresses of none but his keepers, 

 nd towards them he often manifested the original ferocity of his species. 



255. Assuming the original identity of the dog and the wolf, 

 why is there a difference in the pupils of their eyes ? 



Professor Bell attributes the forward direction of the eyes in 

 dogs, and the circular pupil, to the constant habit, for many 

 generations, of looking forwards towards their masters. 



256. Why may we infer that all the varieties of dogs spring 

 from a common origin? 



Because we have many opportunities of observing the varieties 

 produced by accidental causes, and we see those accidental varieties 

 diliger'ly cultivated into new species, altogether different in form 

 and use from any that preceded them. 



257. We see the changes climate and breeding effect in dogs illustrated b> 

 the rough Irish or Highland greyhound and the smoother one of the southern 

 part of Britain ; the more delicate one of Greece, and the diminutive one 

 of Italy, and the hairless one of Africa and Brazils. One of the most striking 

 proofs of the influence of climate on the form and character of this animal occurs in 

 the bull -dog. When transported to India he becomes, in a few years, greatly 

 altered in form, loses all his former courage and ferocity, and becomes a perfect 

 coward.* 



258. Why is the Isle of Dogs so called ? 



Because in the reign of King John it was made the receptacle 

 and breeding ground of the greyhounds and spaniels of that 

 monarch. It was selected on account of its contiguity to Waltham 

 and other royal forests, where coursing was a frequent amuse 

 ment. 



t M Yuatt on the Pog.?' 



