THE DOG. 15 



land, which are appropriated to the feeding of sheep, this 

 dog is of the utmost importance. Large flocks range over 

 extensive plains and hills, seemingly without control ; their 

 only guide being the Shepherd, attended by his Dog, the 

 constant companion of his toil. It receives his commands, 

 and is always prompt to execute them ; it is the watchful 

 guardian of the flock, prevents straying, keeps them to 

 gether, and conducts them from one pasture to another ; it 

 will not suffer strange sheep to mix with them, but carefully 

 drives off every intruder. In driving a number of sheep to 

 any distant part, a well-trained dog never fails to confine 

 them to the road ; he watches every avenue that leads 

 from it, and there takes his stand to prevent them from 

 going out of the way. He pursues the stragglers, if any 

 escape, and forces them into order, without doing them the 

 least injury. If the Shepherd is at any time absent, he de- 

 pends upon his Dog to keep them together ; and as soon 

 as he gives the signal, this faithful creature conducts them 

 to his master, though at a great distance. 



The Newfoundland breed of Dogs is one which is much 

 prized by mankind. They were originally brought from 

 the country the name of which they bear, where their great 

 strength and sagacity render them extremely useful to the 

 settlers on those coasts, who use them 'for drawing wood 

 from the forests to the sea- side. Three or four of them 

 harnessed to a sledge will draw two or three hundred 

 weight of wood piled upon it, for several miles with ease 

 and rapidity ; they are not attended by a driver, nor any 

 person to guide them, but after having delivered their load- 

 ing, they return immediately to the woods where they have- 

 been accustomed to be fed. 



