CHAPTER LXI 



THE JAPANESE 



THE Japanese say that the Chin Dog* should have 

 vulture feet, butterfly ears, the mark of the gods 

 (a spot on the forehead), and a chrysanthemum tail. 

 Possibly this description may not convey a very clear 

 impression to the uninitiated of what is really one 

 of the most beautiful of the Toy varieties. The 

 shape, colouring, and bearing are alike charming. 

 High breeding shows itself in every gesture, so that 

 even those who have an innate objection to Toy 

 dogs cannot fail to appreciate the diminutive im- 

 portation from the land of the Mikado. This, in 

 his perfection, is the sleeve dog of the Japanese 

 aristocracy, and in consequence extremely small 

 specimens, weighing but 3 lb., are the most highly 

 esteemed. One of the first imported by Mr. Theo. 

 Marples, some thirty years ago, turned the scales at 

 12 lb ., but since that time we have arrived at a 

 truer understanding of the points most prized in their 

 native land. The picture, given elsewhere, suggests 

 a good deal of the conformation and coat, but, of 

 course, it cannot explain the colouring, which may 



