Chap. XVII.] GREATER SIZE OF THE MALE. 249 



quadrupeds have acquired these characteristic qualities, 

 occurred rather late in life, and were consequently to a 

 large extent limited in their transmission to the same sex. 

 Under this point of view I was anxious to obtain in- 

 formation in regard to the Scotch deer-hound, the sexes 

 of which differ more in size than those of any other 

 breed (though blood-hounds differ considerably), or than 

 in any wild canine species known to me. Accordingly, I 

 applied to Mr. Cupples, a well-known breeder of these 

 dogs, who has weighed and measured many of his own 

 dogs, and who, with great kindness, has collected for me 

 the following facts from various sources. Superior male 

 dogs, measured at the shoulder, range from twenty-eight 

 inches, which is low, to thirty-three or even thirty-four 

 inches in height; and in weight from eighty pounds, 

 which is low, to one hundred and twenty, or even more 

 pounds. The females range in height from twenty-three 

 to twenty-seven or even twenty-eight inches; and in 

 weight from fifty to seventy, or even eighty pounds." 

 Mr. Cupples concludes that from ninety-five to one hun- 

 dred pounds for the male, and seventy for the female, 

 would be a safe average ; but there is reason to believe 

 that formerly both sexes attained a greater weight. Mr. 

 Cupples has weighed puppies when a fortnight old ; in 

 one litter the average weight of four males exceeded that 

 of two females by six and a half ounces ; in another litter 

 the average weight of four males exceeded that of one 

 female by less than one ounce ; the same males, when 

 three weeks old, exceeded the female by seven and a half 



3* See also Richardson's ' Manual on the Dog,' p. 59. Much valuable 

 information on the Scottish deer-hound is given by Mr. McNeill, who 

 first called attention to the inequality in size between the sexes, in 

 Serope's ' Art of Deer Stalking.' I hope that Mr. Cupples will keep to 

 his intention of -publishing a full account and history of this famous 

 breed. 



