vs. 4(J7. 



APPENDIX. 217 



to such a rosomhlance, docs not surprise nic ; for, by pointiiijs; out a 

 supposed dotVct of the picture, compared with a sketch of (iratius, 

 this learned and laborious commentator proves that he was not aware 

 of the variety of dog intended to be delineated by his author — per- 

 haps himself unacquainted with its type in nature. The very feature 

 of the boX(\o(jKios ovpi), condemned by this editor as burthensome to 

 Canes cursores, with a preference of the " cauda brevis" of Gratius, 

 (suited to the Canes bellicosi alone,) is so remarkable and useful an 

 additament to the greyhound's form, that, instead of burthening, it 

 essentially assists him as a Canis cursor, (" ad conversiones in cursu Cynographia 

 reciproco regendas,") and much strengthens the resemblance of the 12. 



Oppianic picture to its Celtic prototype in Arrian. 



The conclusion of this sketch is followed by that of the Canis pug- 

 nax or helUcosus of the first class, hereafter cited, Qovpoi b' aid" erepoi, Oppian. Cyneg. 

 K. T. X. ; and this again by the amusing and lively picture of the 

 keen-scented beagle or hare-hound — o-KvXdicwv yivos aXKipov l^^vevrri- Ejusdem 

 pu)v, K. T. \. — the representative of which is taken from Britain, and 

 constitutes, according to my theory, Oppian's specimen (rather a 

 sorry one, it must be allowed) of the second class of Canes Venatici, 

 termed nare sagaces. Are we not, then, allowed to conclude that 

 the same tripartite distinction of Canes Venatici was acknowledged 

 by the Cilician poet, as we have already traced in the more systema- 

 tic authorities cited ? ^ The latter did not escape the notice of the 



1. In addition to tbis triple view, a farther distinction of the canine race is founded 

 by Oppian on purity and commixture of blood. The mongrel or mixed breed is again 

 divided into two varieties, the one constituted of dogs of diflferent countries crossed 

 with each other ; the other of dogs crossed with various wild animals, BijpoiJLiyrj, as 

 tigers,' lions, wolves, and foxes ; — whence in the opinion of the ancient cynegetical 

 writers originated many varieties of hybrid races ; which later experiments have 

 proved to be founded in fable ; with the exception of those produced between the 

 wolf and dog, and the jackal and dog. It is not improbable that the latter hybrid 

 production may have given rise to the fabled progeny of the dog and fox, the oAwTre- 

 KiSes of Xenophon ; as the Canis aureus and common dog readily breed together ; but 

 we have no very well authenticated case of a litter from the Canis vulpes and dog — to 

 which assumed cross, the attention of John Hunter, " magnus ille naturae inda- 

 gator," had been directed before his death, but not advanced to actual experiment, 

 as in the other crosses of the wolf and jackal with the domestic dog. Dr. Caius, 



2 E 



