328 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS 



off every intruder. In driving a number of Sheep 

 to any distant part, a well trained Dog never fails 

 to confine them to the road; he watches every 

 avenue that leads from it, where he takes his stand, 

 threatening every delinquent, and pursues the 

 stragglers, if any should escape, "and forces them 

 into order, without doing them the least injury. If 

 the herdsman be at any time absent from the flock, 

 he depends upon his Dog to keep them together; 

 and as soon as he gives the well-known signal, this 

 faithful creature conducts them to his master, 

 though at a considerable distance. 



There is a very remarkable singularity in the feet 

 of the Shepherd's Dog,, which we have likewise 

 sometimes observed in those of the Cur and the 

 Spaniel. They have one, and sometimes two extra 

 toes on the hind feet, though they seem not to be 

 of much use. They appear to be destitute of 

 muscles, and hang dangling at the hind part of 

 the leg, more like an unnatural excrescence than a 

 necessary part of the animal. But the adage, that 

 "Nature has made nothing in vain," ought to cor- 

 rect our decision on their utility, which probably 

 may exist unknown to us. 



This breed of Dogs, at present, appears to be 

 preserved in the greatest purity, in the northern 

 parts of England and Scotland; where its aid is 

 highly necessary in managing the numerous herds 

 of Sheep bred in those extensive wilds and fells. 



