144 Modern Dogs. 



what may be called the uncivilised period of our 

 history, were assisted by nets, and then by bows 

 and arrows, in taking the game, for at that period 

 there were few cultivated stretches of land free from 

 forest of sufficient extent to allow the long courses 

 preferred at the present day. However that may be, 

 greyhounds pretty much of the shape and form they 

 are found now were known prior to King Canute's 

 time, when no one of less degree than a " gentle- 

 man" possibly a freeholder was permitted to keep 

 greyhounds. 



In the British Museum there is a fine old sculpture 

 of two greyhounds fondling each other, and this was 

 taken from the ruins of Antoninus, near Rome. In 

 Dansey's translation of Arrian there is an excellent 

 engraving of this beautiful work, and other sculptures 

 of even an earlier period are to be found, in which 

 the greyhound type of dog is predominant. Confined, 

 however, to the " gentleman," coursing could not 

 become very popular, especially when even he " was 

 not allowed to take his greyhound within two miles 

 of a royal forest unless two of its toes were cut off." 

 Even so late as 1853 each greyhound had a tax to 

 pay of 22S. each, whilst other dogs, may be of equal 

 value, could be kept at a charge by the State of 

 from 155-. ^d. to 8s. 2d. each. 



However, still keeping to old times, we find our 



