THE POINTER. 



BY CHARLES K. WESTBROOK, A. M. 



ISTOBIOGRAPHY. The exact origin of this beau- 

 tiful and useful branch of the canine family, as 

 well as that of many other varieties, can not be defi- 

 nitely stated. The great naturalist, Buffon, was of 

 the opinion that all the different species of dogs derived 

 their origin from the shepherd's dog; and while it is 

 perhaps inappropriate to discuss this question here, it 

 may be remarked, en passant, that such an assumption may 

 possibly be a correct one. It would appear quite natural 

 that, in those early pastoral days, that marked the dawning 

 era of civilization and human development, as the shepherd 

 reclined along the borders of the forests which, like a 

 mighty frame-work, inclosed the feeding-grounds of his 

 flock, some specimens of the wild dog should find their 

 way to his side, and, by kind treatment and gradual domes- 

 tication, become subordinated to his purposes. Gradually, 

 under the influences operating upon the animal, through 

 domestication, climate, variety of food, and other effective 

 causes, his form, habits, and inherited instincts may have 

 become changed; and by an occasional cross with another 

 branch of the family, similarly produced, it is possible to 

 conceive that the theory of Buff on ^ may be approximately 

 correct. The well-known susceptibility of the dog to varia- 

 tions in breeding is also a confirmation of the theory; and 

 it is easy to account for the changes in his instincts, as now 

 manifested, on the theory that these have become fixed and 

 confirmed, in each variety, by the uses to which they have 

 been severally devoted. 



However this may be, the history of the world, from 

 the very earliest period, informs us of the existence of the 



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