THE INDAGATOR GROUP. 745 



But the Spaniel, which may be regarded as typical of the breed, 

 appears to be proper to the African rather than the European 

 side of the Mediterranean. It is known to us in this country 

 by a diminutive variety, usually termed Charles the Second's 

 Breed. It has the body gracefully formed, the forehead rela- 

 tively broad, the ears long, the eyes large and brilliant, the 

 tail bushy, and the hair soft, curling, and silky. The feet 

 are remarkably large, broad, and webbed, rendering it pro- 

 bable that it was originally derived from a country of sands. It 

 is found in numbers all along the Barbary coasts, and extends 

 to Spain, Italy, and the islands of the Mediterranean, whence 

 the finest spaniels have always been derived. Varieties of 

 it are known to British sportsmen, as Springers and Cockers, 

 characterized by their active habits, the delicacy of their 

 smell, and their generally giving tongue when they come upon 

 the game. 



Of all known dogs, the Spaniel is the most remarkable for 

 its docile habits and affectionate temper. It will never turn 

 against its master, but will lick his hand when he chastises 

 it. It will watch the expression of his countenance, and at- 

 tend him in his sick-room like a nurse. Even the Arabs find 

 an excuse for fondling the Spaniel, by asserting that it is 

 not a dog. It is not to be wondered at that the Spaniel 

 has, of all our dogs, been admitted to the closest companion- 

 ship with us ; but it is strange that the very qualities which 

 attach him to us have been made matter of reproach. To 

 fawn like a spaniel, is an expression common not to one lan- 

 guage, but to many. But the fawning of the spaniel is the 

 result of the gentle temperament with which he is endowed, 

 and of his fidelity to his human protector. 



The Spaniel has been largely mixed in blood with other 

 races ; and many dogs are termed Spaniels which are only 

 remotely related, or not related at all, to the true Spaniel. 



IV. The BARBET, or WATER-DOG, Canis aviarius aquations 

 of Linnaeus, has been spread from time immemorial over a 



