DOGS. 89 



In passing over a number of dogs mentioned by 

 Colonel Smith, concerning which I have no data for 

 anecdotes, I pause for a moment at the Drover, or Cattle- 

 dog of Cuba, and Terra Firma, in America, placed by 

 him among the native dogs (Canis Laniarius), because 

 they are so serviceable in landing cattle from vessels. 

 The oxen are hoisted out by slings passed round the 

 base of their horns ; and when they are allowed to fall 

 into the water, men generally swim and guide them by 

 the horns. This office, however, is often performed by 

 one or two dogs, who, catching the frightened animal 

 by the ears, force it to swim to the landing-place, in- 

 stantly releasing it when it touches the shore, and can 

 walk to its destination. They are equal to mastiffs in 

 strength ; and Colonel Smith considers them as the 

 feral dogs of St. Domingo, in continued domesticity, 

 and to have been taken from Spain to the West. 



Elegance of form, grace of movement, beauty of coun- 

 tenance, extraordinary swiftness, and great strength, 

 are all combined in the Greyhound, as recorded during 

 the last three thousand years; and continued at the 

 present moment, in various degrees, from the noble 

 sporting dog, to the delicate pet of the drawing-room. 

 The narrow, sharp head, the light, half hanging ears, 

 the long neck, the arched back, the slender yet sinewy 

 limbs, the deep chest, showing the high development of 

 the breathing organs, and the elevated hind quarters, 

 all shadow forth the peculiar qualities of these dogs. 

 Their coat has been adapted to the climate in which 

 they originally lived : here it is smooth ; but becomes 

 more shaggy as they are from colder regions. Still 

 their Eastern origin is always to be detected by the 

 care which they require during our winters ; and (like 



