154 THE CATTLE-DOG OF CUBA. 



Matin, Buffon, w^ith more nationality than sound 

 reasoning, would derive a great many subordinate 

 breeds of dogs in his fanciful genealogy of the canine 

 family. 



The Drover, or Cattle-dog of Cuba and Terra 

 Firma, in America^ we have seen in great num- 

 bers, and they perform a service which those of 

 their tribe in Europe are scarcely fit for. We have 

 often witnessed, when vessels with live stock arrive 

 in our West India colonies, and the oxen are hoisted 

 out by a sling passed round the base of their horns, 

 the great assistance they afford to bring them to 

 land. For, when the ox first suspended by the 

 head is lowered, and allowed to fall into the water, 

 men generally swim and guide it by the horns ; but, 

 at other times, this service is performed by one or 

 two dogs, who, catching the bewildered animal by 

 the ears, one on each side, force it to swim in the 

 direction of the landing place, and instantly release 

 their hold when they feel it touches the ground ; for 

 then the beast naturally walks up to the shore. 

 These dogs have the form of the Dane, and the 

 colours of a wolf, with a long truncated tail, and 

 generally a black spot over each eye, covering their 

 small half pendulous ears ; their eyes are small, very 

 bright, and the hair is rugged. There are some 

 equal to mastiffs in bulk and bone ; but it is likely 

 that they are a cross with the Cuba breed of that 

 race. We regard this breed as the continuous do- 

 mesticated animal, of which the feral of St. Domingo 



