Al'PENDlX. 239 



one of its principal districts, Molossian : of which Aristotle records 

 two varieties, the one for ordinary hunting, the other for guarding 

 flocks, houses, and property. The fabled origin of the breed is con- 

 sistent with its high repute in the kennels of antiquity. For, on the 

 authority of Nicander, we are told by Julius Pollux, that the Hpi- Onomast. 

 rote was descended from the brazen dog, which Vulcan wrought for 

 Jupiter, and animated with all the functions of canine life — 



Koi ^vxh" fi'Be'ls dZpov eSw/ce Ait. 



Of this Molossian prototype the fortunate proprietors were, suc- 

 cessively, Europa, Minos, Procris, and Cephalus ; and, somehow or 

 other, as he passed from kennel to kennel, amidst heroines and he- 

 roes, or whilst in the temporary keeping of Diana, (who seemingly 

 bestowed him on Procris,) he was metamorphosed into a wolf- 

 greyhound, under the name and character of thje Ovidian La^laps. 

 See Class iii. Vertragus. 



The pro\Vess of the Canes Molossi rendered them most useful 

 auxiliaries in the field of battle ; ^ and they were equally prized in 

 the contests of the circus and amphitheatre. Their war praises are 

 sung by the classic muse of Darcius, in a style worthy the purest age 

 of Koman literature, nor are their other merits forgotten by this 

 accomplished poet : 



Divers^ veniunt prsEstantes dote TMolossi J. Darcii 



Uiversi ingeniis, uon omnibus omnia pra;stat Venusini 



.,,.,... o Canes. 



J\atura, at vario ludit discruinne morum, &c. 



But our citations must be made from writers of an earlier date, and 

 the character of these dogs derived from coeval, or at least original, 

 sources. The attachment and fidelity of Epirotes to their masters 

 formed a remarkable feature of their tribe — so much so, that Statius 

 tells us the soldiers of Molossia wept over their faithful canine com- 

 panions, slain in war : 



1. ^lian tells us of a war-dog, perliaps an Epirote, (TvarpaTiurTjv Kvva — wiio so De Naturrl 



distinguished himself with bis Athenian lord at the battle of Marathon, as to be Animahiiin 



' L. VII, 



honoured with an effigy on the same tablet with his master. c xxxviii 



