THE GREYHOUND 683 



be considered as examples of the most perfect grey- 

 hound. 



The shape, make, elegant structure, and other 

 characteristics of high blood, were equally dis- 

 tinguished in all the three ; the colour of Snowball 

 was a jet black, and, when in good running condition, 

 was as fine in the skin as black satin. Major and 

 Sylvia were singularly, but beautifully brindled. 

 Snowball won ten large pieces of silver plate, and 

 upwards of forty matches, his master having accepted 

 every challenge, whatever might be the dogs of 

 different counties which might be brought against 

 him. His descendants have generally been also 

 very successful. 



The last match run by this celebrated dog, was 

 against the famous greyhound, Speed, the property 

 of Hall Plumber, Esq., of Bilton Park, Yorkshire. 

 He gained the match ; and so severe was the run, 

 that Speed died soon after it. This terminated the 

 career of Snowballs public coursing, as the owner, 

 in consideration of his age, then declared he should 

 never run another match. 



Snowball was perhaps the fleetest of his race that 

 ever ran ; and like the Flying Childers, which was 

 the swiftest of horses, may never be outstripped in 

 rapidity of movements. 



Wynken de Worde, who wrote a work on sports 

 in 1496, describes what then constituted the most 

 perfect form of the greyhound in his day, which 

 holds good still : — 



" Headed lyke a snake, 



Necked lyke a drake, 



Footed lyke a catte, 



Taylled lyke a ratte, 



Syded lyke a teme, 



And chyned lyke a beame." 



