142 



THE POINTER. 



The otter-hound, a rough, wiry-haired, thick-quartered and thin- 

 shouldered animal, is a cross between this and the larger terrier. 



The right hand figure in the preceding engraving represents 

 the harrier, and the opposite figure the beagle, which is a still 

 smaller variety its height being not more than from twelve 

 to fourteen inches. 



THE POINTER. 



This beautiful breed is exceedingly steady and persevering in 

 the field. " A staunch pointer will not only stand at the scent 

 of a bird or hare, but if he be in company, he will instantly 

 back, as it is termed, if he see another dog point. The perfection 

 to which this propensity to stand at the scent of game is brought, 

 is one of the most striking examples of the docility of the dog. 

 Whether it be absolutely superadded to the original instinct of 

 the animal, or a mere modification of it, can scarcely perhaps, 

 be satisfactorily determined."* 



To ascertain whether pointers carried naturally, M. Magendie 



procured a full grown couple from England. A handsome bitch 



bred from these, in France, was kept constantly under his eye, 



and, without receiving any sort of instruction, she pointed and 



* Bell's British Quadrupeds (1837), p. 218. 



