177 



THE BRITISH GREYHOUND. 



Canis leporarius. 



PLATE X. 



The dogs of the best breeds now common in the 

 west of Europe are all of the same race ; but, in 

 point of sporting qualities and beauty, none 'are 

 equal to the British. The smooth-haired greyhound 

 v/as first imported from France, and subsequently 

 improved by Avell selected individuals from the 

 Greek Islands, fi-om Italy and Barbary, and even 

 from India, but, above all, by the unremitting 

 attention of wealthy and intelligent sportsmen. We 

 shall not dwell further upon a breed so well known, 

 and at present im rivalled in an open country for 

 speed, beauty, and spirit, united with docility. 



With the gTeyhounds, we place also two races 

 that are more or less of mixed breeds. The 

 first is 



