*4 NATURAL HISTORY OP THE DOG. 



or flesh-eaters for flesh forms the chief article of his diet, 

 He is digitigrade, for in walking he supports himself on the 

 extremities of his toes, or digits. He is usually grouped 

 with the wolf, fox, jackal, dec., under the generic appella- 

 tion of canis, and is more particularly separated from these 

 animals by the term cards familiaris the familiar or do- 

 tnestic dog. 



The dentition of toe dog is as follows : 



.n the upper jaw, six incisors, or cutting-teeth ; 



two canine teeth, or tusks ; 



six molars, or grinders, on each side. 

 In the lower jaw, six incisors ; 



two canines ; 



seven molars on each side. 



Of the upper molar teeth, three are foist molars, two are 

 tubercular, and one is carnassier, or formed rather for rending 

 than grinding. Of the lower molars, four are false, two 

 tubercular, and one carnassier. In some wild canines, the 

 second tubercular molar-tooth of the lower jaw is constantly 

 wanting, as in the Dholes, &c. ; and in one (Mcgalotis, H. 

 Smith) there exists a redundancy there being, in the upper 

 jaw, seven molars on each side, and in the lower, eight. 



The true dog has five toes on the fore feet, and four toes 

 on the hind ; but occasionally a fifth toe occurs on the hind 

 feet sometimes on one, and sometimes on both. This toe is 

 called the dew-claw, and is usually removed by the sportsman 

 while the animal is young, as its presence is calculated to 

 impede its movements. Some writers speak of this claw as 

 peculiar to certain breeds. I have had much experience in 

 dogs, and regard it as an unquestionable evidence of im- 

 purity of breed, wherever existing.* 



Various attempts have been made by modern writers to 

 classify the varieties of the domestic dog into groups. A 

 very recent author (Mr. Martin) has adopted the form ana 

 size of the ear as a criterion. Colonel Smith appears to have 

 depended, in a great measure, upon color. These ideas are 

 both very good, when taken as adjuncts to another system of 

 a more philosophical foundation, but are of themselves false 

 and deceptive. 



Mongreliam, or impure breeding, will often manifest itself many gen- * 

 cration* after the crott ha* taken place, and when all other appearance of 

 such has been lost 



