138 MAMMALIA— DOG. 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.i 



This animal, which came originally from the island whence it derives its 

 name, has a remarkably pleasing countenance, is exceedingly docile, and 

 of great size and sagacity. In their native country, they are extremely 

 useful to the settlers on the coast, who employ them to bring wood from the 

 interior. Three or four of them, yoked to a sledge, will draw three hundred 

 weight of wood for several miles. In the performance of this task they are 

 so expert as to need no driver. After having delivered their load, they will 

 return to the woods with the empty sledge, and are then rewarded by being 

 fed with dried fish. 



The feet of this dog are more palmated than usual ; which structure 

 enables it to swim very fast, to dive easily, and to bring up any thing from 

 the bottom of the water. It is, indeed, almost as fond of the water as if it 

 were an amphibious animal. So sagacious is it, and so prompt in lending 

 assistance, that it has saved the lives of numberless persons, v/ho were on 

 the point of drowning; and this circumstance, together with its uniform 

 good temper, has justly rendered it a universal favorite. 



THE MASTIFF. 2 



This species of dog is peculiar to England. It is nearly of the size of a 

 Newfoundland dog, strong and active, possessing great sagacity, and is 

 commonly employed as a watch dog. The mastiff is said seldom to use 

 violence against intruders, unless resisted, and even then he will sometimes 

 only throw down the person, and hold him for hours, without doing him 

 further injury, till he is relieved. He has a large head, with short pendent 

 ears, and thick lips hanging down on each side. In the reign of James I., 

 a contest was exhibited between three mastifls and a lion, in which the 

 king of beasts was compelled to seek for safety in flight. 



THE TERRIERS 



Is a small, thick-set hound, of which there are two varieties; the one with 

 short legs, long back, and commonly of a black or yellowish color, mingled 



1 C.f. extrarius. Sub- variety. * C. Anglkus. ' C. Britanniciis. 



