366 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



From these, and a mixture of others, proceeds a 

 numberless variety of Messets, Lap-Dog's, Dancers, 

 Waps, Mongrels, and compounds without end. 



That all these, however divided, compose one 

 general family, is apparent, from the facility with 

 which they intermix, produce, and re-produce. In 

 all of them the same attachment to mankind, the 

 same pliant and humble disposition, submitting with 

 patience to the various indignities to which they are 

 exposed by their dependent situation, is eminently 

 observable. Even those that, by accident or neglect, 

 have been abandoned, and become wild, when taken 

 home, are easily reclaimed by kindness and atten- 

 tion : they quickly become familiar, and continue 

 faithfully attached to their masters. Multitudes of 

 these are to be found in South America, which have 

 sprung from those taken thither by the Europeans. 

 They breed in holes in the ground, are formed some- 

 what like a Greyhound, have erect ears, are very 

 vigilant, and excellent in the chase. 



To mention some of the more common instances 

 of this creature's sagacity, by way of elucidating its 

 general character, may not be amiss ; and amongst 

 these, its care in directing the steps of the blind 

 man is not the least worthy of notice. There are 

 few who have not seen an unfortunate object of this 

 description, led by his Dog, through the various 

 passages of a populous town, to the accustomed 

 place where he sits to supplicate the contributions 

 of passengers. It may sometimes be seen to stop 

 at particular houses, to receive the morsel from the 

 hand of charity, or pick from the ground the money 

 thrown out to relieve its miserable owner. When 

 the day is passed, it conducts him home again; and 

 gratefully receives as the reward of its services, the 



