80 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



physiologist did not give the names of the breeds 

 of dogs, along with the number of mammae ; for it 

 is likely that the most anomalous would have 

 shown also the greatest degree of degradation in 

 the crossings. Some inferences might likewise be 

 drawn from a multiplied series of observations on 

 the colour of the eyes ; for in the wild, and semi- 

 wild dogs, they are constantly uniform. Even the 

 quality and colours of the hair is not without some 

 importance ; for although both albinism and mela- 

 nism are -existing effects in the wild state, among 

 many species of mammifera3, they scarcely affect a 

 second generation. Notwithstanding that domesti- 

 city, even in the very first offspring, is liable to 

 show a commencement of change of colour, it does 

 not, in the main, take away the original tinctures 

 from the greater number so produced ; and when 

 the disturbing cause is removed, and the animals 

 are allowed to resume their aboriginal state, the 

 primitive livery returns. We may conclude, also, 

 that the feral races of long standing are of similar 

 colours with the types from which they are sup- 

 posed to have sprung, both in Asia and America, 

 and that they clearly point to species of aboriginal 

 dogs, not to be grouped with either wolves or foxes. 

 The colour of the palate in several races of dogs 

 being black, while in others it is whitish, may de- 

 serve consideration, for we observed the black to 

 prevail in the wild and semi-domesticated species 

 of South America ; and it has since been found to 

 be the case with the breeds of Patagonia and Tierra 



