DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS. (>') 



fineness and softness, by the straight wool of the 

 Parnassian breed. 



No animal, if indeed all belong to one original 

 species, varies more than one that is most domes- 

 ticated of any, the dog : some, as the water-dog, 1 

 being covered with curled hair almost as thick 

 as the fleece of a sheep, while others, the Turk- 

 ish-dog, 2 are absolutely naked ; others again, the 

 grey-hound, 3 being very slender, with long 

 slender muzzle and legs, remarkable for their 

 velocity and the quickness of their sight ; others 

 lastly, the hound, 4 more robust in form, less 

 swift in motion, with a short obtuse muzzle, 

 depending chiefly upon their scent in pur- 

 suit of their prey. Whoever studies all these 

 supposed varieties, and the diversified functions 

 which they exercise in our service, as our faith- 

 ful and attached companions, the watchful 

 guardians and defenders of our property, the 

 purveyors of our table, and the ministers of our 

 pleasures, must acknowledge the wisdom, good- 

 ness, and power of the Creator in the production 

 of so versatile a race, applicable, in so many 

 ways, to such a variety of purposes, many of 

 them of the first importance. Without them 

 some nations would have no means of con- 

 veyance from place to place ; 5 and others would 



1 Canis familiaris aquaticus. 2 Canis familiaris cegyptius. 

 3 Canis familiaris graius. 4 Canis familiaris molossus. 



5 The Kamtchadales. 



VOL. I. F 



