1890.] 



ON THE DOMESTIC DOG. 



11 



Group II. — Greyhounds. 



This group includes the Irisii Wolf-dog, ancient and modern, the 

 Scotch Deerhound, the Greyhound, Italian Greyhound, Naked dog, 

 and Lurcher. The Greyhound breed is undoubtedly one of great 

 age, since figures of this breed have been found on monuments in 

 Egypt at least 3000 years old. Some of these at least, however, 

 resembled the Akaba or Bedouin Greyhound, and differed from the 

 English and otlier varieties in that they possessed long brush tails. 



The Old Irish Wolf-dog was originally, according to Smith, 

 of the same origin as the Scotch, and " according to some opinions 

 was not found in Ireland in its greatest development until the Danes 

 began to infest its coasts." It may have been, however, he thinks, 

 that there was an ancient race which "was crossed with the great 

 Danish dog by the Northmen, and under favourable circumstances 

 increased to the great stature since so much admired." It was the 

 largest dog in Western Europe, whatever may have been its origin, 

 and has now been extinct for nearly a century. Lambert ' has given 

 a description with a figure of one given to him in 1/90 by Lord 

 Altamont, who then possesssd the only eight specimens in existence. 

 The measurements of this animal will be found at the place referred 

 to. Their make, from the figure, must have been heavier, and this 

 especially about the head, than the ordinary greyhound type. The 

 hair was sliort and smooth, the colour of some being brown and white, 

 of others black and white. '' They seem to be good tempered," he 

 states, but " from the accounts I received are degenerated in size. 

 They were formerly much larger, and in their make more like a 

 greyhound." 



The measurements given in the table were kindly made for us by 

 Professor A. C. Haddon, M.A., to whom our best thanks are due 

 for his trouble. They are from the specimens in the Museum of 

 Science and Art, Dublin. Unfortunately in every case the inferior 

 maxillae were wanting. 



No. 1. R. I. A. a. No. 2. R. I. A. /3. No. 3. Dr. Wilde 2. No. 4. Dr. Wilde 3. 

 No. 5. Dr. Wilde 4 (Dunshaughlin). No. 6. Dr. Wilde 5 (Dunshaughlin). 



Trans. Linn. Soc. iii. p. 16. 



