THE DOG. 67 



Appearance and growth of the ^oung. 



forces from them whatever they have been at- 

 tempting to curry off; but, contented with hav- 

 ing conquered, he lies down upon the spoil, and 

 will not touch it even to satisfy his appetite; ex- 

 hibiting, at the same time, an example of cou- 

 rage, temperance, and fidelity." 



These useful animals are found in a wild state 

 in Congo, Lower Ethiopia, and towards the Cape 

 of Good Hope; in South and North America, 

 New Holland, and several other parts of the 

 world. The female goes with young about sixty- 

 three days, and commonly produces fiom four 

 to ten at a litter. The young are usually brought 

 forth blind ; the eye-lids being firmly closed by 

 a membrane, which is torn off as soon as the 

 muscles of the upper eye-lids acquire sufficient 

 strength for that purpose, and this is generally 

 about the tenth or twelfth day. The young ani- 

 mals are at first clumsy and awkward in their ap- 

 pearance, and their whole figure seems imper- 

 fectly designed; but. their growth is rapid, and 

 they soon acquire the use of all their senses* joy 

 To enlarge on the description or particular 

 qualities of an animal, so well known to every 

 class of readers, would be unnecessary ; and even 

 to enumerate all the varieties of dogs, or the disr 

 criminating marks by which each breed is disr 

 tinguished would be almost impossible. Instead, 

 therefore, of dwelling on these, subjects, , I shall 

 lay before .the reader such well authentic, ated 

 anecdotes of canine sagacity, attachment, and 



