desires, presents us with the basset, 

 a sort of almost footless serpent, 

 which steals into the closest 

 thickets. Do we ask that he 

 should drive our flocks? The 

 same compliant genius grants 

 him the requisite size, intelligence, 

 energy and vigilance. Do we 

 intend him to watch and defend 

 our house? His head becomes 

 round and monstrous, in order that 

 his jaws may be more power- 

 ful, more formidable and more 

 tenacious. Are we taking him to 

 the south? His hair grows 







V 



