EARLY SCOTTISH DOGS. 341 



that name, though evidently a larger, nobler, and more 

 courageous animal. 



Among the oldest Scotch authorities are some sculp- 

 tured stones in the church-yard of Meigle, a village of 

 Perthshire. These stones represent in relief the figures of 

 several dogs, which bear so strong a resemblance to the 

 Highland deerhound, as to leave no doubt that they are 

 intended to represent this species. The date of this sculp- 

 ture is considered by antiquaries, and in particular by 

 Chalmers, to have been previous to the introduction of 

 Christianity, and as early at least as the ninth century. 



These, though probably the earliest, are by no means 

 the only stones on which representations are given of 

 these dogs. On many others of great antiquity to be met 

 with in different parts of the country hunting scenes are 

 represented, in which the same species of dogs are in- 

 troduced in full pursuit of deer. 



z 3 



