96 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DOG. 



It is coarser in the muzzle and in coat, and is destitute of tail. 

 In sagacity, however, I believe it is fully equal to its more nor- 

 them relative. 



THE SHEPHERD'S DOG OF FRANCE. 



This dog is not to be confounded with the MATIN. He re- 

 sembles, in form, size, and disposition, the common sheep-dog 

 of England, and, like that animal, usually possesses little or no 

 tail. Mr. Whyte Baker has favored me with the following 

 interesting notice of this dog : " In France, where, from the 

 absence of fences, the dogs are placed in care of the various 

 flocks, it is usual for these animals, at the bidding of their mas- 

 ter, to keep ranging round their charge, from flock to flock, till 

 he calls them off again. In one case this was forgotten, and 

 the faithful animal continued his rounds till he died of the fa- 

 tigue ! a parallel case among animals to the celebrated one 

 among the human kind, of the French admiral's son in the 

 ship Orient,' at the Battle of the Nile the theme of Mrs. 

 Heman's beautiful song, 'Casabianca.' ' 



THE DROVER'S DOG 



Is larger than the colley, and seems to have sprung from a 

 cross with the lurcher. He is as sagacious as the shepherd's 

 dog, but more courageous ; and will pin and pull down a bul- 

 lock in a moment, if directed to do so by his master. 



THE CUR-DOG 



Is the colley mongreUzed. He is a bully and a coward, and 

 is very fond of running after the heels of a horse ; but, with 

 all his faults, is the best watch-dog in existence, and is, on that 

 account, valuable to the poor cottager, of whose humble dwell- 

 ing he is ever a faithful guardian. 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE SPANIELS. 



THE beautiful lace at which we are now arrived, is one of 

 ewiecial celebrity ; and is peculiarly endeared to us from this 



