DOGS 4 8 5 



eth near to the place where the bird is, he lays down 

 and with a mark of his paws betrayeth the place of 

 the bird's last abode, whereby it is supposed that this 

 kind of dog is called Index-setter, being, indeed, a 

 name both consonant and agreeable with his quality." 



Numerous other ancient writers refer to the set- 

 ting dog as a land spaniel, but it appears that the term 

 spaniel was generic in its application, being applied 

 indiscriminately to several distinct breeds, thereby 

 hopelessly beclouding the subject. The term, as used 

 at the present day, frequently may have a distinctly 

 different meaning from that of the same term as used 

 centuries ago, and confusion and inaccuracy are sure 

 to arise in any discussion which does not take cog- 

 nizance of that fact. On this point, the following, 

 taken from "The Gentleman's Recreation" (1697), is 

 specially pertinent : "The dog which you select for 

 setting must have a perfect and good scent, and be 

 naturally addicted to the hunting of feathers ; and the 

 dog may be either Land Spaniel, Water Spaniel, or 

 mongrel of them both; either the Shallow-flewed 

 Hound, Tumbrel, Lurcher, or small bastard mastiff." 



To the "Field Book," a sportsman's encyclopedia, 

 published in London in 1833, is ascribed the following 

 definition : "The English setter (Canis index, Variety 

 B) is a breed between the Spanish pointer and the large 

 water spaniel, and was famous for his steadiness and 

 exquisite sense of smelling. .The hair on his body was 

 much more curled than the present breed, which has 

 been lengthened by the additional cross of the springer. 



