66 SECOND DIVISION OF THE 



a lot of sheep before her, he took a pride in leaving them entirely to her, 

 and either remained to take a glass with tjie farmer of whom he had made 

 the purchase, or travelled another road to look after bargains or business. 

 At one time, however, he chanced to commit a drove to her charge, at 

 a place called Willenslee, without attending to her condition, which he 

 certainly ought to have done. This farm is about five miles from Peebles, 

 over wild hills, and there is no regularly defined path to it. Whether 

 Mr. Steel chose another road is uncertain ; but, on coming home late in the 

 evening, he was surprised to hear that his faithful animal had not made her 

 appearance with her flock. He and his son instantly prepared to set out 

 by different paths in search of her ; but, on going into the street, there 

 was she with the flock, and not one of the sheep missing ; she, however, 

 was carrying a young pup in her mouth. She had been taken in travail 

 on those hills ; and how the poor beast had contrived to manage the sheep 

 in her state of suffering is beyond human calculation, for her road lay 

 through sheep-pastures the whole way. Her master's heart smote him 

 when he saw what she had suffered and effected ; but she was nothing 

 daunted ; and, having deposited her young one in a place of safety, she 

 again set out at full speed to the hills, and brought another and another 

 little one, until she had removed her whole litter one by one : the last, 

 however, was dead. 



Mr. Elaine relates as extraordinary an instance of intelligence, but not 

 mingled, like the former, with natural affection. A butcher and cattle- 

 dealer, who resided about nine miles from Alston, in Cumberland, bought 

 a dog of a drover. The butcher was accustomed to purchase sheep and 

 kine in the vicinity, which, when fattened, he drove to Alston market and 

 sold. In these excursions he was frequently astonished at the peculiar 

 sagacity of his dog, and at the more than common readiness and dexterity 

 with which he managed the cattle ; until at length he troubled himself 

 very little about the matter, but, riding carelessly along, used to amuse 

 himself with observing how adroitly the dog acquitted himself of his 

 charge. At length, so convinced was he of his sagacity, as well as fidelity, 

 that he laid a wager that he would intrust the dog with a number of 

 sheep and oxen, and let him drive them alone and unattended to Alston 

 market. It was stipulated that no one should be within sight or hearing 

 who had the least control over the dog, -nor was any spectator to interfere. 

 This extraordinary animal, however, proceeded with his business in the 

 most steady and dexterous manner ; and, although he had frequently to 

 drive his charge through other herds that were grazing, he did not lose 

 one ; but, conducting them to the very yard to which he was used to drive 

 them when with his master, he significantly delivered them up to the per- 

 son appointed to receive them by barking at his door. When the path 

 which he travelled lay through grounds in which others were grazing, he 

 would run forward, stop his own drove, and then, chasing the others away, 

 collect his scattered charge, and proceed. 



THE ITALIAN OR POMERANIAN WOLF-DOG. 



The wolf-dog is no longer a native of Great Britain, because his ser- 

 vices are not required there, but he is useful in various parts of the Con- 

 tinent, in the protection of the sheep from the attacks of the wolf. A pair 

 of these dogs was brought to the Zoological Society of London in 1833, 



