DOG. 277 



of howl ; and are greatly inferior to the true ge- 

 nuine Deo-. 



O 



In Australasia, or New Holland, the Dog is 

 known by the name of Dingo, and is an animal 

 of uncommon strength and fierceness. 



The dog is unquestionably subject to greater 

 variety than any other animal, and it is no easy 

 task to ascertain all the different breeds. 



That which is supposed by naturalists to ap- 

 proach most nearly to the original animal is 

 known by the name of the Shepherds' Dog. 

 (Canis domesticus. Z/;?.) This is distinguished 

 by its upright ears, and tail remarkably villose be- 

 neath. In the Alpine regions, as well as in some 

 other parts of Europe, this Dog is much larger 

 and stronger than in England. Its principal use 

 is as a guard to the flock, which it prevents from 

 straggling, and defends from all attacks. In Mr. 

 Bewick's work on Quadrupeds, the variety figured 

 as the Shepherds' Dog is said to have always one, 

 and sometimes two toes more than other Dogs ; 

 these toes appear to be destitute of muscles, and 

 hang dangling at the hind part of the leg like an 

 apparently unnecessary excrescence. This parti- 

 cularity, however, is not mentioned in Buffon's 

 description of that animal, nor does it make any 

 part of the Linnasan characteristic of this variety : 

 the race described by Mr. Bewick is said to prevail 

 most in the north of England, and in Scotland. 

 In a pointer, it is well known, a similar particu- 

 larity generally takes place. 



The Dingo, Australasian, or New Holland Dog, 



