HISTORY OF THE DOG. 159 



their eyes open till the tenth or twelfth day. They attain 

 their growth in two years. The dog is old at fifteen years, 

 and seldom lives beyond twenty. 



THE GREYHOUND. 



This elegantly formed animal was once held in such 

 estimation, that it was the peculiar companion of a gentle- 

 man, who was anciently known by his horse, his hawk, 

 and his greyhound. In such repute was it, that Canute 

 enacted a law that it should not even be kept by any one 

 who was under the rank of a gentleman. It has a long 

 body, a neat and elongated head, full eye, long mouth, 

 sharp and very white teeth, little ears, with thin gristles in 

 them, a straight neck and full breast ; his fore and hind 

 legs are long and straight ; his ribs round, strong, and full 

 of sinews, and taper about the belly. It is the swiftest of 

 the dog kind, and easily trained for the chase when twelve 

 months old. It courses by sight and not by scent, as other 

 hounds do ; and is supposed to outlive all the dog tribe, 

 BufFon imagines it to be descended from the Irish grey* 

 hound, only rendered more thin and delicate by the influ- 

 ence of climate. There is a variety of this species, which 

 is called the Highland greyhound. It is very large, strong, 

 deep-chested, covered with long rough hair, and has the 

 scent and sagacity of the bloodhound. This kind has 

 become exceedingly scarce. 



THE SPANIE L. 



This beautiful animal is of Spanish extraction, whence 

 it derives its name, and the silky softness of its coat. It 

 is elegant in form, with long pendant ears, and hair grace- 

 fully curled or waved. Its scent is keen, and it possesses 

 in the fullest perfection the good qualities of sagacity, 

 docility, and attachment. So strong is the latter, that 

 instances have been known in which the animal has died 



