162 THE GREYHOUNDS. 



such pure breeds as the modern. When Greece and 

 the West was still much overgrown with woods, or 

 the country was mountainous, pure dogs could not 

 depend upon their keeping the game in view, nor 

 could the hunters follow the sport. The heasts of 

 the chase were powerfully armed. And all these 

 considerations, no doubt, caused those numerous 

 recommendations among the writers of Cynegetica 

 to form crosses with other breeds, in order to pro- 

 duce mixed qualities, better adapted to the existing 

 circumstances of the times and localities. 



Looking for the original residence of this race, 

 and finding that in Egypt it existed in its present 

 form at the dawn of history, not only as a coursing 

 dog, but also that it formed already, and probably 

 had long before, constituted a relinquished semi- 

 feral race, living unowned, and totally upon its own 

 industry, it might be assumed, that Egypt is the 

 country whence this dog was first carried to other 

 regions. But, when we regard its structure and 

 qualifications, we cannot deny that it is formed for 

 speed ; and this character, and the use of the sight, 

 instead of the organs of smell, necessitate that it 

 was intended for open plains. Other inherent qua- 

 lities in greyhounds, which the pretended wonder- 

 working causes of food and climate have not removed, 

 or scarcely impaired, are the natural sociability of 

 the animal with man, without equal disposition to 

 individual attachment, a somewhat distrustful tem- 

 per, which, under certain circumstances, is likely to 

 turn into ferocity, not exempting its owner from 



