04 IXTRODUCTORY REMAUKS. 



ing the breeds of different countries. The Cyiie- 

 getica of the younger Xenophon, Gratius Faliscus, 

 Aurelius Nemesianus, Oppian and ^lian, contain 

 many particulars on the questions connected witn 

 this subject. We learn from them, that althougli 

 the Greeks had many denominations of races of 

 dogs, the distinct varieties in their possession were 

 not numerous ; and, that ^^'hile their instinctive qua- 

 lities were as perfect as now, tliey had not yet 

 acquired that complete docility which incessant 

 training and education has since produced. 



In a series of sixteen or seventeen breeds of 

 hunting-dogs then existing in "VTestern Asia, Greece, 

 Italy, and to the north of Macedonia, there appears 

 to have been only two races ; one of greyhounds, 

 the other of a kind of dogs hunting by the scent. 

 Most of these were named after the nations where 

 they were bred ; but others, particularly in Greece, 

 were subdivided under appellations of their sup- 

 posed original owners, or from qualities for which 

 they were celebrated. Thus, the Iberian, Gallican, 

 and Carian, were Asiatic ; the Thracian, Sauroma- 

 tan, Thessalian, and Pajonian, were extra Grecian ; 

 the Ausonian, Arcadian, I.aconian, Locrian, and 

 Cretan, were Greek. Among the last mentioned, 

 were the breeds called Castoiian, ]\Ienelaides, and 

 Hermodian, named after the heroes who were sup- 

 posed to have reared them. The Cypceli, or dogs 

 without ^cct, bred in Acbaia, Avere most likely 

 very fleet greyhounds. The Spartan, or Laconian, 

 asserted to be a cross breed derived from foxes, or 



