140 THE CALABRIAN DOG. 



it would seem, that the Spartan and Molossian 

 were of the same breed, or, at least, held in equal 

 estimation. We are, however, told by Ulisius, 

 that the Spartan were totally degenerated in his 

 time, while the Molossian remained in their pristine 

 vigour.* 



The Calabrian dog is a beautiful and sagacious 

 animal, representing the Newfoundland dog in 

 Europe. It is of smaller size, with long, rather 

 curly hair ; ears bent down, but not floccose ; a 

 fine bushy and curled tail, and often entirely of a 

 white colour. Fine specimens of this race are, or 

 were, in the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park. 

 They are well described and figured in that delight- 

 ful work, called the Gardens and Menagerie of the 

 Zoological Society ; but we do not think it is strictly 

 the Canis Pomeranus^ but nearly allied to 



* Paulatim vero exinde mistis non illis modo inter se, sed 

 velocibus quoque cum illis maxime extra patriam suam adeo 

 degeneravit proles eorum, ut nihil fere praeter nomen ab origine 

 sua serva verint. Fracastor's translator adds: Se Molossi 

 pero fino a nostri ultimi tempi hau conservado 1'antico valore e 

 robustessa. I/ALCONE, 15. 



