INTRODUCTION. 11 



maintained, that the dog ivas originally formed in such 

 corresponding varieties as fitted him to inhabit the dij- 

 ferent countries wherein he was placed. To the lover 

 of the animal in question, it will not prove uninteresting 

 if we dedicate a few moments to the examination of this 

 subject : and although the weight of conflicting autho- 

 rities, and the speciousness of opposed arguments, may 

 prevent our arriving at a conclusion altogether satisfac- 

 tory, yet the attempt may throw some light on the sub- 

 ject, and, at least, it may enable others to draw their 

 own inferences. 



In the zoological arrangement of the great naturalist. 

 Sir Charles Linne, the Dog (canis familiaris) is the 

 first species of a genus which comprehends animals 

 whose exterior forms and habits are considerably va- 

 ried, but whose generic characters bear a close resem- 

 blance to each other. The animals included, are, the 

 Wolf (can. lupusj , the Fox (can. vulpes), the Jackal 

 (ca7i. aureusj, and the Hyaena (can. hycenaj . The 

 characters of the genus are drawn from the number and 

 the incisive formation of the teeth. There are, in front, 

 six pointed conical fore teeth above and below; the 

 laterals being more lobated and longer than the others. 

 The molar or grinding teeth are furnished with pointed 

 prominences, and in the intermediate space between 

 the incisor and molar teeth (which is considerable, from 

 the great length of maxillae, or jaws, in this genus) is 

 placed on each side, above and below, what is charac- 

 teristically called a canine or dog tooth^. 



* Why these tusk teeth, common to various orders of quadrupeds, 

 and to man also, should be characterized by the generic term canine, 

 appears extraordinary. In man, the monkey, the horse, &c. &c. they 

 appear merely formed to preserve that beautiful regularity which is so 

 conspicuous throughout the links of Nature's vast chain ; while to 



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