12 ANIMALS OF THE 



are larger and stronger than those of any other 

 kind. In France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, 

 the dogs are of various kinds, like the men ; and 

 this variety seems formed by crossing the breed 

 of such as are imported from various climates. 



The shepherd's dog may, therefore, be con- 

 sidered as the primitive stock from whence these 

 varieties are all derived. He makes the stem 

 of that genealogical tree which has been branch- 

 ed out into every part of the world. This ani- 

 mal still continues pretty nearly in its original 

 state among the poor in temperate climates ; be- 

 ing transported into the colder regions, he grows 

 less and more ugly among the Laplanders, but 

 becomes more perfect in Iceland, Russia, and 

 Siberia, where the climate is less rigorous, and 

 the people more civilized. Whatever differences 

 there may be among the dogs of these countries, 

 they are not very considerable, as they have all 

 straight ears, long and thick hair, a savage aspect, 

 and do not bark either so often or so loud as 

 dogs of the more cultivated kind. 



The shepherd's dog, transported into the tem- 

 perate climates, and among people entirely civi- 

 lized, such as England, France, and Germany, 

 will be divested of his savage air, his pricked 

 ears, his rough, long, and thick hair, and, from 

 the single influence of climate and food alone, 

 will become either a Matin, a Mastiff, or a 

 Hound. These three seem the immediate de- 

 scendants of the former; and from them the 

 other varieties are produced. 



