26 DOMESTICATED HUNTING-DOGS. 



but also a qualification, that is to say, the possession of landed 

 property to the value of one hundred pounds per annum. Hence 

 the sport was forbidden to the middle classes, and it was not until 

 the passing of the present game laws, in 1831, that it was thrown 

 open to them. From that time to the present the possession of the 

 greyhound has been coveted and obtained by great numbers of 

 country gentlemen and farmers in rural districts, and by pro- 

 fessional men as well as tradesmen in our cities and towns, so that 

 the total number in Great Britain and Ireland may be estimated 

 at about fifteen or twenty thousand. Of these about five or six 

 thousand are kept for public coursing, while the remainder amuse 

 their owners by coursing the hare in private. 



Various explanations have been offered of the etymology of the 

 prefix gvcy, some contending that the colour is implied, others that 

 it means Greek {Grains), while a third party understand it to mean 

 great. But as there is a remarkable peculiarity in this breed con- 

 nected with it, we need not, I think, go farther for the derivation. 

 No other breed, I believe, has the blue or grey colour prevalent ; 

 and those which possess it at all have it mixed with white, or other 

 colour ; as, for instance, the blue-mottled harrier, and the blotched 

 blue and brown seen in some other kinds. The greyhound, on the 

 contrary, has the pure blue or iron grei/ colour very commonly ; and 

 although this shade is not admired by anv lovers of the animal for 

 its beauty, it will make its appearance occasionally. Hence it may 

 fairly be considered a peculiarity of the breed, and this grey colour 

 may, therefore, with a fair show of probability, have given the 

 name to the greyhound. 



