286 DOG. 



less, to particularize with scrupulous minuteness 

 all the differences of this varying race. The 

 principal varieties are well figured in the Count 

 de Buffon's Natural History, and are copied into- 

 Mr. Smellie's translation of that elegant work. 

 In the present publication, solicitous to introduce 

 figures of the rarer animals, rather than of such 

 as are well known, we have admitted only the 

 Shepherd's Dog, the Dingo or Australasian Dog, 

 and the Irish Greyhound, as elucidations of the 

 species. 



The Linnaean specific character of the Dog, 

 viz. that the tail hangs or turns towards the left, 

 has frequently excited the ridicule of those who 

 wish to lessen the merit of the great and accu- 

 rate Northern Naturalist. It is, indeed, undeni- 

 able, that the character above mentioned is not 

 always distinctly perceivable ; yet it seems to be a 

 more predominating particularity than any other, 

 when applied to the whole race or species in ge^ 

 neral. 



It would be unnecessary to dwell on the parti- 

 cular uses and qualities of this animal. Every one 

 knows that the Dog, when properly educated, is 

 the most faithful of quadrupeds, and the most 

 devoted to the service of mankind. " The 

 Dog (says Buffon) , independent of the beauty of 

 his form, his vivacity, force, and swiftness, is 

 possessed of all those internal qualifications that 

 can conciliate the affections of man, and make 

 the tyrant a protector. A natural share of cou- 

 rage, an angry and ferocious disposition, ren- 



