

THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. VIII.] OCTOBEE, 1884. [No. 94. 



DOGS; ANCIENT AND MODERN.* 

 By J. E. Harting, F.L.S., F.Z.S. 



The great French zoologist Cuvier has characterized the 

 Dog as the completest, the most singular, and the most useful 

 conquest ever made by man. It was probably the first animal 

 selected by man to assist him in his pursuits as a hunter, but it 

 is by no means clear that it was the first of the beasts of the field 

 to come under his subjection. It is more likely that sheep and 

 cattle were the earliest subjects of human conquest; for with the 

 skins of these man formed for himself a defence and clothing, 

 and the milk which they yielded, as well as the meat which they 

 supplied, furnished him with nutriment. But as these would 

 offer no companionable qualities, and could render him no 

 assistance in capturing wilder animals, he would naturally be led 

 to look around him for such a companion and assistant as the 

 dog would be likely to prove. 



The marked prejudice which existed against the dog in certain 

 parts of the East doubtless operated for some time to protract its 

 perfect domestication ; nor was it likely that until its valuable 

 qualities had gradually but irresistibly conquered this prejudice, 

 it would be enlisted into the confidence and esteem of man, and 

 its services be duly appreciated. But when it was found that in 

 this animal were united exquisite powers of scent and vision, 

 great strength, speed, and courage, and an instinctive ardour in 



* An abstract of one of the " Davis Lectures," delivered at the Zoological 

 Gardens, July 3rd, 1884. 



ZOOLOGIST. — OCT. 1884. 2 H 



