THE MATIN DOG. 153 



the feral dog of St. Domingo, so nearly allied to the 

 Dane in form, stature, and colour, and reflect, that 

 originally it was imported by Spaniards from Europe, 

 we may be justified in assuming, that the same race 

 existed in Spain, and was first carried thither by the 

 conquering Goths, or Suevi. In Sweden, the Danish 

 dog was formerly used in couples to support a smaller 

 breed of hounds, called Elk-finders, in the chace of 

 that powerful animal, to retard it until the horse- 

 men came up, or to drive it in the direction where 

 the rifle-shots Avere posted. There is a good figure 

 of this variety in Buflbn's quarto edition. 



THE MATIN DOG. 

 Canis laniarius, Linn. 



This race of the family was most likely imported in 

 France by the Cymbers, or later, by the Franks. 

 It is a large species, equalling the former in stature, 

 but the forehead is flatter, the nose more prolonged 

 and pointed, the hair rugged, and the colour 

 usually white, with one or more large clouds of 

 brown; the ears, also, are more triangular, and 

 the tips bent down ; showing, upon the whole, a 

 certain intermixture of the older Gallic dog. It is 

 fierce, but not remarkable for daring. From the 



