202 THE COMMON DOG. 



to been found so entirely adapted to our use, and 

 even to our protection. There are many coun- 

 tries, both of the old and new continent, in which 

 if man were deprived of this faithful ally, he 

 would unsuccessfully resist the foes that surround 

 him, seeking opportunities to destroy his labour, at- 

 tack his person, and encroach upon his property. 

 HiS own vigilance, \n, many situations, could not 

 secure him on the one hand against their rapacity, 

 nor on t!ie other against their speed. The Dog, 

 more tractable than any other animal, conforms him- 

 self to the movements and habits of life of his master. 

 His dilig'ence, h^s ardour, and his obedience, are in- 

 exhaustible ; and his disposition is so friendly, that, 

 unlike every other animal, he seems to remember 

 only the benefits he receives. He soon forgets our 

 blows; and instead of discovering resentment while 

 we chastise him, he exposes himself to torture, and 

 even licks the hand from whence it proceeds. 



Dogs are found in a wild state in Congo, Lower 

 Etliiopia, and towards the Cape of Good Hope ; in 

 South and North America, New Holland, and se- 

 veral other parts of the world. The female goes 

 with young about sixty- three days, and commonly 

 produces from, four to ten at a litter. The young are 

 usually brought forth blind: the two eye-lids are not 

 simpiy glued together, but shut up with a membrane, 

 vshich is torn off as soon as the muscles of the up- 

 per eye-lids acquire sufticient strength to overcome 

 this obstacle to vision, and this is generally about tlie 

 tenth or tv/elfth day. At this period the young ani- 

 mals arc clumsy and awkward in their make. The 



