40 Do77testicated Aniinals. 



English Mastiff Club's forty-guinea challenge-cup at Birmingham 

 in 1898 and 1900, and of many other prizes. A third example 

 represents the old English Mastiff, this specimen having been 

 presented by Mr. II. I). Kingdon in 1888. The Cuban Mastiff is 

 represented by a couple of skulls presented by the Zoological Society 

 many years ago. In this place reference may be made to a mounted 

 skin of the ' Uogue de Bordeaux,' or French Bull-dog. This breed 

 is represented by ' Turk ' (fig. 21), who was born in September, 1897, 

 and died in 1*.)04, his owner being the Rev. C. Steele. He was son 

 of ' Matador du Midi,' and grandson of ' Turc,' the former of which 

 was imported into England and took first prize at the Westminster 

 Aquarium in 1896. These dogs were formerly used for bear-baiting. 

 * Turk' was purchased in 1904. 



_ ,, , Since bull-baiting was in vogue in 1209, Bull-dogs must 



° ' have existed at that time ; and a document dated 1031 

 indicates that Bull-dogs were then recognised as distinct from 

 Mastiffs. Old pictures show, however, that the original Bull-dog 

 was a more MastifF-like animal than the modern breed, and this is 

 confirmed by the skulls in the collection. Still it always had an 

 under-hung mouth (that is, with the lower jaw projecting in advance 

 of the upper), an enormous gape, short, bowed front-legs, and a l)road 

 chest, such features being essential in a Dog which, unlike Wolves 

 and Wolf-like Dogs, attacks from the front, and attempts to seize its 

 antagonist by the muzzle. The under-hung jaws secure a hold at 

 once, and the low body prevents goring by the horns of the bull. 



Other characteristics are the short and wide skull, the small loins 

 and hind-limbs, and the strength of the fore-quarters. These 

 features are exaggerated in the modern breed, which is useless foi' 

 fighting. The skull, for instance (as shown by the specimens in the 

 table-case), is so broad and under-hung as to be a monstrosity, while 

 the outward bending of the fore-legs is excessive. The old Bull-dog 

 was a surly and pugnacious animal, whereas the modern breed is 

 docile and gentle. The modern Bull-dog is well represented by ' Lucy 

 Stone,' bred by Mr. W. F. JefFeries in 1900. She died in January, 

 1908, and, owing to her youth, was only shown three times, when she 

 won 4 first and 5 special prizes. The skin and skeleton are botii 

 shown, and were presented by Mr. JefFeries in 1903. There is also 

 the skeleton of a male brindled Bull-dog, presented by Mr. A. L. Sewell 

 in 1902. The collection likewise includes the skull of the male Bull-dog 

 ' Neotsfield,' who was born on April 23rd, 1905, and died on April 

 4th, 190G; his sire lieing 'Master Merlin,' and his dam 'Flora 



