DOG KIND. 17 



came within reach, and then seized them by a 

 sudden spring. 



" The Land Spaniel, which probably had its 

 name from Spain, where it might have acquired 

 the softness of its hair, is well known at present. 

 There are two varieties of this kind ; namely, the 

 Slater, used in hawking to spring the game, and 

 the Setter, that crouches down when it scents the 

 birds, till the net be drawn over them. I have 

 read somewhere that the famous poet, Lord 

 Surry, was the first who taught dogs to set ; it 

 being an amusement to this day only known in 

 England. 



" The Water Spaniel was another species used 

 in fowling. This seems to be the most docile of 

 all the dog kind ; and this docility is particularly 

 owing to his natural attachment to man. Many 

 other kinds will not bear correction ; but this 

 patient creature, though very fierce to strangers, 

 seems unalterable in his affections, and blows and 

 ill-usage seem only to increase his regard. 



" The Lap-dog, at the time of Doctor Caius, 

 was of Maltese breed ; at present it comes from 

 different countries : in general, the more awkward 

 or extraordinary these are, the more they are 

 prized. 



" The Shepherd's Dog has been already men- 

 tioned ; and as for the Mastiff, he is too common 

 to require a description. Doctor Caius tells us, 

 that three of these were reckoned a match for a 

 bear, and four for a lion. However, we are told 

 that three of them overcame a lion in the time of 

 King James the First ; two of them being disabled 



VOL. III. B 



