22 EXTINCT BRITISH ANIMALS. 



galleys, must, we fear, for ever remain matters for 

 speculation, We do not even know the precise 

 period at which these very hazardous consignments 

 were made ; but it may be assumed to have been 

 probably about the same time that Wolf-dogs were 

 being exported to Rome, which we know was about 

 the latter end of the fourth century, A Roman 

 consul of that day, Symmachus by name, writing to 

 his brother Flavinus over here, thanks him for a 

 present he made him of some dogs which he calls 

 Canes Scotici, and which were shown at the Circen- 

 sian games, to the great astonishment of the people, 

 who could not believe it possible to bring them to 

 Rome otherwise than in iron cages. It was no doubt 

 in iron cages that the Bears were transported. 



Some commentators have supposed that the dogs 

 here referred to were English mastiffs ; but it may 

 be remarked that for some time before Symmachus 

 lived, and for many centuries after, Ireland was well 

 known by the name of Scotia, and the appellation 

 " Canes Scotici," while inapplicable to English 

 mastiffs, would be appropriate to Irish wolf-hounds. 

 Moreover, the dogs upon which the highest value 

 was always set in former times were those which 

 were of use for the chase of wild animals, and we 

 know from various sources that Wolf-dogs were held 

 in such esteem as to be considered worthy the 

 acceptance of monarchs, and were frequently sent 

 abroad as presents to foreign potentates.* 



* See an article by the writer, on the Irish Wolf-dog, in Baily's 

 Magazine for September, 1879. 



