THE DOG. 77 



yet there are a few instances of some, that, from a do- 

 mestic state, have turned savage, and fled from the so- 

 ciety of the human race to the inmost shades of the im- 

 pervious woods ; and in America, where they were ori- 

 ginally brought and abandoned by Europeans, they have 

 multiplied to such a degree that they spread in packs 

 over the country, and boldly attack whatever animal 

 chance may happen to throw in their way. Yet these 

 creatures, when taken home, are easily tamed, and sub- 

 missively acknowledge their master's power. Though 

 the dog's compliance of temper can only be equalled 

 by its fidelity, yet no animal in the creation is so sus- 

 ceptible of change ; for climate, food, and education 

 are capable of producing alterations in its colour, haJbits, 

 hair, and shape. The wolf and the fox, though so differ- 

 ent in disposition from the faithful animal which we are 

 about to describe, yet are internally the same ; and the 

 shepherd's dog still bears a strong resemblance in form 

 and figure to the wolf. The dogs that run wild in Ame- 

 rica and Congo have a strong similitude to those of our 

 shepherd's kind ; and those of Siberia, Iceland, Mada- 

 gascar, and the Cape, likewise resemble them in a very 

 great degree. In more polished and civilized places, 

 dogs, like men, appear to grow refined ; yet the shep- 

 herd's dog may be considered as the stock from whence 

 all varieties in the breed have sprung, and makes the 

 stem of that genealogical tree which has branched out 

 into so many quarters of the globe. The hound, the 

 harrier, and the beagle may all be considered of the same 

 kind ; and when any of them are transported into Spain 

 or Barbary, (where the hair of all animals becomes soft 

 and long) they soon become the land and water spaniel. 

 The gr^ey matin hound, which is in the second branch, 

 transported to the north, becomes the greatDanish dog; 



