248 Ofi Sheep-killing Dogs. 



The flesh is rendered worthless by their rabid bite, and 

 rapidly putrefies. 



A gentleman, from Maryland, informed me, that, in 

 his neighbourhood, a dog-trap was constructed, of strong 

 common fence rails, and so formed, that dogs can enter 

 (inclined poles being placed outside, as gang-ways) 

 but cannot escape. It is a strong pen, raised eight or 

 ten feet high, and horizontally covered with heavy 

 rails, except a small opening in the centre, through 

 which a dog leaps down. It is baited with dead, or 

 worthless living, sheep. Recently, near his residence, 

 seveji dogs were, in one night, caught in this trap. They 

 had killed, in that neighbourhood, within the ten days 

 preceding, 130 sheep. 



A flock, after being worried by dogs, does not soon 

 recover from the panic excited by their misfortune. 

 But in time they become tranquil ; though, at first, 

 the distant bark, but more the sight, of any dog afilicts 

 them with dismay. Their consternation, for a time, imi- 

 tates, in an humble degree, that of Milton'' s victims to 

 more fearful and merited vengeance ; when 



" Horror on them fell. 



And horrid sjmpathy." 



But I do not perceive, in my dicomfited flock, that the 

 lap-ear is in the least erected, under their continual ap- 

 prehensions. Their ears (which chey project frequently, 

 but do not much elevate) still remain pendant ; yet, if 

 they have any consciousness on the subject, they must 

 feel a conviction, that their protector- /tza/z — has not 

 been vigilant in his guardianship. Their legs have the 

 most sympathy with their fears, when a dog presents 

 himself to their view. Though generally quiescent, yet^ 



