OKDEK V. THE CAENIVOliA. 83 



The Sieeriax Dog (Caiu's Sibrr/cHs). — This variety of the Arctio 

 group (lillers in stature very considcraljly. Tiie ears resemble tliose of a 

 bear ; the head tliat of a wolf; and the tail is like a fox's brush ; in fur and 

 color it looks like a grayish wolf. There niav have been a cross of the 

 great Prussian ^Vateh Dog in this breed, for the dogs of Kanitehatka are 

 smaller, though similarly formed. Their color is mixed black and white, 

 the tips of the ears slightly drooping, and their attachment to home only a 

 periodical instinct, which brings them to their masters' doors after they have 

 roamed wild for many weeks to provide for themselves, and the time has 

 come again when they are to resume their labors at the sleigh. From this 

 period they arc only fed with a very small proportion of the offals of putrid 

 fish ; being treated with aljsolute unkindness, they return the masters' 

 behavior by a cunning and a rooted ill will. AMien about to be yoked to a 

 sleigh they send forth a most dismal howling, l)ut when once yoked in file 

 they become silent, and move oif at a rapid pace. There appc:irs to lie a 

 vein of comical malice in them ; for they will often sudileuly jerk the 

 sleigh in such a manner, and with an intelligible appreciation of the result, 

 as will send their masters into a snow-bank up to the neck. 



The Esquimaex Dog {Cam's fjorea/is). — This is the race of the 

 Arctic Circle in America, most extensively spread, and clearly of the same 

 origin as that of Xorth-eastern Asia. These dogs are powerful in their 

 structure, crpialling the INIastiff in size, covered with h)ng, rather curling 

 hair, and with a bushy tail, very much curled over the back; the cars are 

 short and pointed, and the face clothed with short hairs, as well as the 

 lower part of the extremities. 



They are remarkably intelligent, patient, and enduring, dragging sleighs 

 with great rapidity, hunting with courage and skill, and carrying burdens 

 without repining. Their temper is good, although in aspect they greatly 

 resemble a wolf. Several were introduced int(j England by the memljcrs 

 of the late Arctic Expedition, and we have seen two or tree specimens in 

 the United States. Many are black and white, others of a dingy white, 

 and those on the coast of Labrador are often brown and ^yhite. 



A gentleman who had one of these dogs in his possession thus descrii)es 

 him : " The Esquimaux Dog was possessed of very great sagacity in some 

 respects, more than any dog I have ever seen. I may mention one in- 

 stance. In coming along a country road a hare started, :ind in place of 

 running after the hare in the usual way, the dog pushed himself through 

 the Iiedge, crossed the field, and, when past the hare, through tlie hedge 

 again, as if to meet her direct. It is needless to remark that the hare 

 doubled through the hedge ; but had it been in an open country, there 

 would have been a noble chase. One particular characteristic of the dog 



