64 CARN1VORA. 



naturalists incline to assign it a common origin with the former ; 

 others have identified it with the latter. The balance of the ar- 

 gument, however, seems in favor of the wolf as the original 

 source from which the domestic dogs have sprung. Their skulls 

 and skeletons are similar. The period of gestation is sixty -three 

 days in both. Both open their eyes the tenth or twelfth day, and 

 live fifteen or twenty years. We, however, prefer the position 

 that when man first went forth to till the ground whence he was 

 taken, the dog was given him by the Creator as his assistant and 

 ally. The relation which he sustains to man differs much from 

 that sustained to him by other animals. The dog is alone iden- 

 tified with his master's interests and occupations. Other animals 

 may endure his rule ; to the dog it seems a pleasure. He knows 

 his looks, his voice, his walk, rejoices at his approach, and shows 

 himself his willing defender. The classic scholar will remem- 

 ber that Homer, in the true spirit of nature and of poetry, repre- 

 sents Ulysses as recognized on his return to Ithaca by his old and 

 faithful dog alone, which died with joy at his feet. The value 

 of the dog's services, in the early stages of society, and in pre- 

 paring the way for civilization, affords confirmation of our idea 

 concerning its origin. In wild and uncultivated regions, and es- 

 pecially in northern latitudes, the very existence of man is 

 often dependent upon the fidelity and ever ready aid of the dog. 

 "He is the only animal which has followed man through every 

 region of the earth." The intimacy of relation implied in this 

 remark of Cuvier should be qualified in respect to its extent, as 

 it is well known the Jews, Mohammedans, and Hindoos, regard 

 the dog as impure and aborninable, and will not touch it without 

 ablution. The teeth of the Canine family, (including dogs, 

 wolves and jackals,) are forty-two in number. The muzzle of 

 these animals is more or less lengthened ; the tongue small, and 

 the pupil of the eye circular. The fore-feet have five toes ; the 

 hind feet four, and sometimes a fifth ; the toes are not retractile. 

 DOMESTIC DOGS. 



Their legs are long, and hence their stature is elevated. 

 Though carnivorous, their ferocity is not generally equal to their 

 strength. They obtain their prey, not by sudden bounds, but by 

 T - hunting it down by the aid either of sight or smell, often associ- 

 ating in packs for that purpose. Martin makes seven divisions, 

 containing fifty varieties of the Domestic Dog. 



Facts almost innumerable illustrate the docility, sagacity, 

 and memory; the courage, faithfulness and love of this 

 animal. The ESQUIMAUX dogs, included in the first division, are 

 peculiarly valuable to the dwellers in Arctic regions. They are 



