324 Modern Dogs. 



select that of the cat, and, as they have better 

 opportunities than any other class for instituting the 

 necessary comparison, their selection may be ac- 

 cepted as final. But, as setters are specially 

 required to stand wet and heather, it is imperi- 

 tatively necessary that there should be a good 

 growth of hair between the toes, and on this 

 account a longer but thick foot, well clothed with 

 hair on and between the toes is preferred. This 

 hair on and between the toes acts as a protection on 

 rough stony ground, and it is said that amongst the 

 flints of some countries a setter can on this account 

 work for a day where a pointer would be placed 

 hors de combat in half an hour. 



9. The flag (value 5) is in appearance charac- 

 teristic of the breed, although it sometimes happens 

 that one or two puppies in a well-bred litter 

 exhibit a curl or other malformation, usually con- 

 sidered to be indicative of a stain. The setter's flag 

 should have a gentle sweep downwards ; and the 

 nearest resemblance to any familiar form is to the 

 scythe with its curve reversed. The feather must be 

 composed of straight silky hairs ; close to the 

 root the less hair the better, and again towards the 

 point, of which the bone should be fine, and the 

 feather tapering with it. 



10. Symmetry and quality (value 10), In 



