THE DOG. 



ALL the canine races are supposed to be derived from 

 the wolf. The structure of these animals is identical, or 

 nearly so. It is evident that the dog must have come 

 from a creature capable of the highest degree of domesti- 

 cation, and of great affection for mankind, which, says 

 Mr. Bell, has been abundantly proved of the wolf. Dogs 

 having returned to a wild state, and continued in that 

 condition through many generations, exhibit, moreover, 

 characters which approximate more and more to those of 

 the wolf, in proportion as the influence of domestication 

 ceases to act. 



The eminent naturalist just mentioned refers, in 

 illustration of his views, to a wolf described by M. 

 Frederick Cuvier. This animal was brought up as a 

 young dog ; he became familiar with every person he 

 was in the habit of seeing, and, in particular, followed 

 his master everywhere, displaying evident chagrin at his 

 absence, obeying his voice, and showing a submission 



