200 



THE BUANSUAH. 



to take up its residence in the thickest coverts which are afforded by the luxuriant vegetation 

 of its native land. It hunts in packs, but, unlike the preceding animal, gives tongue con- 

 tinually as it runs, uttering a curious kind of bark, which is quite distinct from the voice of 

 the domestic Dog, and yet has nothing in common with the prolonged howl of the wolf, the 

 jackal, or the foxes. 



The number of individuals in each pack is not very great, from eight to twelve being the 

 usual average. They are possessed of exquisite powers of scent, and follow their game more 

 by the nose than by the eye. 



When captured young, the Buansuah readily attaches itself to its keeper, and, under his 

 tuition, becomes a valuable assistant in the chase. Unfortunately, the Dog will too often 



/* 



-^ 



BtTANSUAH. Canis primaivue. 



refuse its confidence to any one except its keeper, and therefore is not so useful as it might 

 otherwise be rendered. It is probable that the keeper himself has some hand in this conduct, 

 and willfully teaches his charge to repel the advances of any person save himself. 



In the chase of the wild boar, the peculiar character of the Buansuah exhibits itself to 

 great advantage, as its wolf -like attack of sudden snap is more destructive to its prey than 

 the bite of an ordinary hound. For other game this creature is but an uncertain assistant, as 

 it will often give up a chase just at the critical moment, and is too apt to turn aside from its 

 legitimate quarry for the purpose of immolating a tame sheep or goat. 



ALL the various Dogs which have been brought under the subjection of man are evidently 

 members of one single species, Canis familiaris, being capable of mixture to an almost 

 unlimited extent. By means of crossing one variety with another, and taking advantage of 

 collateral circumstances, such as locality, climate, or diet, those who have interested them- 

 selves in the culture of this useful animal have obtained the varied forms which are so familiar 

 to us. In general character, the groups into which domesticated Dogs naturally fall are 

 tolerably similar, but the individual characters of Dogs are so varied, and so full of interest, 



