1 18 THE CANINE FAMILY 



hangs to the left ; which Sonnini justly ascrihes to 

 their action of galloping. 



The mammae are from six to ten in number, and 

 their liability to vary in domestic dogs is a further 

 indication of a plurality of original species in their 

 constitution. The typical colours of the fur appear 

 to be ochrey, white, and black, commonly inter- 

 mixed, so as to form greys of different tones, or 

 clouds, of tan or brown: the aberrant are fiery 

 rufous and bluish ash. These colours are hable to 

 vary according to the latitudes the species occupy, 

 or according to the season of the year or particular 

 race they belong to. Some true wolves and the 

 lyciscans of America are reported to differ very 

 considerably in the same litter, and the Lycaon 

 pictus never occurs with the markings distributed 

 exactly alike. 



They are almost imiversally animals endowed 

 vrith a prodigious delicacy in the organs of scent : 

 their hearing is acute; the sight very good; but 

 the senses of touching and tasting are not so per- 

 fect : the last mentioned, in particular, taken accord- 

 ing to human notions, is singularly at variance with 

 delicacy, for it shows no repugnance to corrupted 

 flesh. It is observed, even of lap-dogs, most daintily 

 fed, that they will often forsake the savoury dishes 

 prepared for them, to gorge upon carrion, and 

 manifest the intense pleasure they receive by rolling 

 upon it. 



Hence, perhaps, canines are not personally so 



