NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DOG. 93 



able. One which Dr. Richardson had in his possession, and 

 which was accustomed to follow his sledge, was killed and 

 eaten by one of his Indian guides, who stated that he mistook 

 it for a fox.~ The feet of this dog are large, spread, and 

 thickly clothed with fur, in consequence of which he can run 

 upon the snow with rapidity and ease, without sinking. In their 

 native country, these dogs never bark ; in confinement the}' do 



It would be, perhaps, somewhat negligent, on my part, were 

 I not to describe, in this place, a*very curious-looking dog, 

 apparently belonging to the Esquimaux, or Greenland breed, 

 lately exhibited in London, and since figured and described in 

 The Pictorial Times. This dog was completely clothed in 

 plated armor, composed of some kind of horny substance, the 

 result, I imagine, of a depraved growth of hair. I did not see 

 this dog myself, or perhaps I might be able to speak more de- 

 cidedly as to the real nature of his very singular clothing : 

 perhaps it was the result of a disease analogous to that ter- 

 rible one occasionally presented in human creatures, and 

 known as " Plique Polonaise," (Polish plait.) Of course it is 

 unnecessary for me to remark, that this appearance is mere- 

 ly accidental, and that no known variety of dog possesses ha- 

 bitually such a covering. 



THE ESQUIMAUX DOG. 



About the size of a large Newfoundland ; hair long, straight, 

 and coarse ; tail bushy, curling over the back ; ears erect 

 and pointed : in general aspect he closely resembles the wolf. 

 This is a remarkably good-tempered and intelligent animal ; 

 in his native country, I need scarcely inform my readers that 

 he answers the purposes of a horse, being employed in draught. 

 They are active, swift, and enduring. 



/ 



THE SIBERIAN DOG 



Is large, wolfish, and powerful. The ears are rounded at 

 the tips, like those of a bear ; the color is usually grayish, and 

 the tail resembles a fox's brush. 



THE KAMTSCHATKA DOG 



Is like the preceding, but smaller, and the tips of the ears 

 drop. These dogs are remarkable for instinctively returning 

 to their master at the period when they are annually required 



