THE SKIN. 341 



THE SKIN. 



The skin of tlie dog is said to be quite free from perspiration, 

 but this is a mistake, as I have often seen the short hairs of a 

 smooth-coated dog glistening with fine beads of liquid, poured 

 out on a hot day, when strong exercise was taken. The tongue, 

 however, is the grand means of carrying off heat by evaporation, 

 and its extensive surface, when hanging out of the mouth, is 

 sufficient for the purpose, as the fluid is carried off more rapidly 

 from the air passing over it in expiration. I am persuaded that 

 a considerable amount of insensible perspiration is constantly 

 going on from the surface of the skin, and that nothing ought to 

 be done which is likely to check it. This, however, is contrary to 

 the generally received opinion, which is that nothing of the 

 kind takes place in this animal. 



