16 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BOG. 



1. MATINS. 



" The anatomical characters of this group are — the head more 

 or less elongated ; the parietal bones insensibly approaching each 

 other; and the condyles of the lower jaw being placed in a hori- 

 zontal line with the molar or upper cheek teeth." 



Var. A — Dog of New Holland, Canis fam. Austr. Desmarest ; 



Dinga, Shaw*. 

 Var. B — French Matin, Can, fam. lanarius, Lin. ; Matin, BufFon^. 



stance, as we see practised whenever we are out on sporting excursions. 

 Indeed, some doubt whether the greyhound type, as now cultivated among us, 

 was known in Greece in the days of the Socratic Xenophon, although we are 

 told that the most speedy of the canes laconici exhibited much strength, 

 length of limb, and angles so formed as to enable them to compete with almost 

 any animal but the most powerful and the most swift. Certain it is, that 

 dogs of such a type, although not so delicately formed, were used by the early 

 Britons as guards of their persons and their flocks. Thus much we do know, 

 but it is a matter of regret to the naturalist that we are so little acquainted 

 with the critical likenesses of these ancient pugnaces, sagaces, and celeres. 



^ The Spaniel family is even more varied than the matins. The Alpine 

 spaniel is a dog of large dimensions. Indeed, so powerful are these dogs, 

 that they are employed as watch dogs to guard the sheep and cattle of moun- 

 tainous districts, as the Himalayan. A cut of the Alpine spaniel, which 

 may be seen in the Encyclopaedia of Rural Sports, p. 388, will shew him as 

 admirably framed to protect whatever is put under his care. The spaniel va- 

 rieties of Britain are also numerous : there are smooth and rough. The New- 

 foundland dog is undoubtedly of this family. The cocker, as he is called from 

 hunting woodcocks, pheasants, &c., is a more diminutive offset from the same 

 root, and is much admired for his beauty and hunting qualities. 



"* M. F. Cuvier finds the head of this but half- reclaimed animal to resemble 

 that of the French matin, and his form to approximate to the shepherd's dog; 

 and hence he places it at the head of the list, as retaining most of the dis- 

 tinctive characters of the wild and original stock. 



* A nationality not uncommon with the French has made their naturalists 

 attach wonderful importance to their matin, as the progenitor of most of our 

 large and valuable breeds. Pennant identifies it with the Irish greyhound, 

 which it somewhat resembles ; but it is not so tall, nor is its hair so wiry. It 

 is very common in France as a cattle dog and a general guard ; but in my 



