*50. DOGS. 



Ocean, and annually convey a great number of skins to China 

 and Jaoan. This species inhabits Kamtschatka, the most 

 northern parts of America, and the neighbouring islands; most 

 generally it keeps on the sea coast, and not within reach of fresh 

 water, like the other species. It is said to live in couples. 



31. The SECOND GKOUP OF DIGITIGRADE CARNIVORA, characterised 

 by the existence of two tuberculous teeth behind the carnivorous 

 tooth of the upper jaw, is composed of the least sanguinary ani- 

 mals of this tribe ; they are of pretty large stature, but their 

 courage does not correspond to their strength, and they most 

 generally feed on carrion. 



32. Amongst the genera of this group, the first that will be 

 the object of our study, is the genus of DOGS : it is composed 

 of species which resemble each other in the principal parts of 

 their organization, which, nevertheless, are separated into two 

 very distinct sub-genera ; DOGS and FOXES. 



33. All these animals have three false molars above, and four 

 below, and two tuberculous teeth behind each carnivorous tooth; 

 their tongue is soft ; their fore-feet have five toes, and the hind 

 ones, four; their nails are adapted for digging; their vision is 

 excellent, their hearing fine and their sense of smell prodigious ; 

 they mix vegetable with their animal food, and are fond of putrid 

 meat. Generally, they are animals of moderate stature, and their 

 proportions are indicative of their strength and activity. 



34. The sub-genus of DOGS PROPERLY so CALLED, is composed 

 of common dogs, and different species of wolves; it is distin- 

 guished from that of the foxes by the tail, which in the latter is 

 longer and more tufted ; by the form of the muzzle, and particu- 

 larly by the disposition of the pupil. In dogs, as well as in other 

 diurnal animals, this opening is circular, while in foxes it takes, 

 when contracting under the influence of light, the form of a slit, a 

 peculiarity which is characteristic of nocturnal animals. 



35. The Domestic Doy, Canis Familiaris is distinguished 

 from other species of this genus by his recurved tail, otherwise 

 varying infinitely in size, form, colour, and quality of hair. This 



31. How are animals of the second group of Digitigrade Carnivora distin- 

 guished? Are animals of this group very courageous? 



33. Do the species of the genus Dog resemble each other in their organi- 

 zation ? How is this genus divided? 



33. Wh;it are the general characteristics of the genus Dog? 



34. What animals compose the sub-genus of Dogs properly so called ? 

 How is this sub-genus distinguished from that of Foxes ? What peculiarity 

 characterises nocturnal animals? 



35. What are the specific characters of the Domestic Dog? What signs 

 indicate its age I 



