6 



EARLY HISTORY OF THE DOG. 



snaring a poor animal without an effort, as between the secret piratical 

 assaults of robbers at sea, and the victorious naval engagements of the 

 Athenians at Artemisium and at Salamis. a The first hint of the employ- 

 ment of the dog in the pursuit of other animals is given by Oppian in his 

 Cynegeticus, who attributes it to Pollux, about 200 years after the pro- 

 mulgation of the Levitical law. 



Of the precise species of dog that prevailed or was cultivated in Greece 

 at this early period little can with certainty be affirmed. One beautiful 

 piece of sculpture has been preserved, and is now in the possession of 

 Lord Feversham at Duncombe Hall. It is said to represent the favourite 

 dog of Alcibiades, and to have been the production of Myson, one of the 

 most skilful artists of ancient times. It differs but little from the New- 

 foundland dog of the present day. He is represented as sitting on his 

 haunches, and earnestly looking at his master. Any one would vouch 

 for the sagacity and fidelity of that animal. 



The British Museum contains a group of greyhound puppies of more 

 recent date, from the ruins of the villa of Antoninus, near Rome. One 



is fondling the other, and the attitude of both, and the characteristic 

 puppy-clumsiness of their limbs, which indicate, nevertheless, the beautiful 

 proportions that will soon be developed, are an admirable specimen of 

 ancient art. 



The Greeks in the earlier periods of their history depended too much 

 on their nets ; and it was not until later times that they pursued their prey 



* Arrian's Cynegeticus, cap. 26. 



