CHAPTER IV. 



THE DOG-THE ESQUIMAUX OK AKCTIC DOG, ITS HABITS &c., AND 

 FACTS RELATIVE TO IT, RECORDED BY RAE AND KANE: ITS USE 

 IN SLEIGHING THE FOX, HABITS, AND ANECDOTE OF ITS CUN- 

 NING, OR FOXINESS. 



Of the American dog there are supposed to be eight species 

 indigenous, though this is as yet an open question ; the wolf, 

 the fox, and the jackal, being each claimed as the originator 

 of the species, in different countries. 



Description. Six cutting teeth in each jaw, canine teeth 

 four, one on each side of either jaw; tongue, soft; five toes 

 on the fore-feet, four on the hind feet : they never sweat ; 

 drink by lapping. 



The Lagopm, a native of Greenland and Spitzbergen, is 

 supposed to be the true originator. In this animal, the Arc- 

 tic dog, we find an illustration of the alteration of species in 

 connection with civilization, not only in its variety of form, 

 but from the established fact, that the Esquimaux dogs had 

 never been known to bark until they heard their domestic 

 cousins, which accompanied the discovery ships of Arctic 

 expeditions, giving tongue, and so, by imitation, acquired the 

 habit, now as common to them as to our canine followers. 



The conquest of the dog is the most complete, singular, and 

 useful ever made from the animal kingdom by man. The 

 whole species has become his property ; each individual is 

 devoted to his master ; assumes his manners, knows and 

 defends his property, and remains his true friend till death ; 

 and all this from the purest friendship, and even in spite of 

 starvation and cruelty. Of all animals, this is the only one 

 which has followed man in every condition through all the 

 regions of the globe, and been his defence against the prowl- 



