78 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



than one homogeneous species. Separate descrip- 

 tions have abeady shown this result, and enabled 

 us to deny that dog-like wild canines are unques- 

 tionably alienated domestic dogs. That there are 

 races of feral dogs will be shown in the sequel; 

 but the existence of these animals, and the appear- 

 ances they exhibit, are in themselves reasons for 

 not admitting the general inference, where the indi- 

 cations which should guide us are found wanting. 

 "With regard to the probability of the intermixture 

 of the wolf with the dog, the facts are known and 

 admitted ; and it may be also assumed, that if a 

 genuine species of the last mentioned should not be 

 parent of any race of dogs, still the crossing often 

 repeated, which, in the earlier states of society, 

 when men and dogs lived more with the wilder 

 species of the creation, must have been much more 

 frequent, and consequently a very considerable pro- 

 portion of the blood of the wolf may be infused in 

 some races, at least of the domestic species ; and 

 that proportion, together with other circumstances 

 of climate, food, and education, must have contri- 

 buted to modify their characters and powers.* The 

 same views are applicable to the jackals, and the 

 smaller races of dogs of middle and southern Asia, 

 and again to the Dusicyon group of dogs of South 

 America. 



* See Dr. Richardson's Fauna Boreali- Americana. In his 

 letter to us, he states the American -wolves to intermix freely 

 ■with the dogs. The Prince of Wied is of the same opinion. 



