322 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



with meat and water ; for it was sometimes difficult to pro- 

 cure for them enough of the latter ; but their services were 

 invaluable, often contributing to our safety, and always to 

 our ease, by their constant vigilance ; as we felt a con- 

 fidence that no danger could approach us at night without 

 being announced by their barking. No circumstances 

 could render the value and fidelity of these animals so con- 

 spicuous and sensible, as a journey through regions which, 

 abounding in wild beasts of almost every class, gave con- 

 tinual opportunities of witnessing the strong contrast in 

 their habits, between the ferocious beasts of prey which 

 fly at the approach of man, and these kind, but too often 

 injured, companions of the human race. Many times when 

 we have been travelling over plains where those have fled 

 the moment we appeared in sight, have I turned my eyes 

 towards my Dogs to admire their attachment, and have felt 

 a grateful affection towards them for preferring our society 

 to the wild liberty of other quadrupeds. Often, in the 

 middle of the night, when all my people have been fast 

 asleep around the fire, have I stood to contemplate these 

 faithful animals lying by their side, and have learnt to 

 esteem them for their social inclination to mankind. When 

 wandering over pathless deserts, oppressed with vexation 

 and distress at the conduct of my own men, I have turned 

 to these as my only friends, and felt how much inferior to 

 them was Man when actuated only by selfish views. 



" The familiarity which subsists between this animal and 

 our own race, is so common to almost every country of the 

 globe, that any remark upon it must seem superfluous ; but 

 I cannot avoid believing that it is the universality of the 

 fact which prevents the greater part of mankind from re- 

 flecting duly on the subject. While almost every other 

 quadruped fears Man as its most formidable enemy, here 

 is one which regards him as his companion, and follows 

 him as his friend. We must not mistake the nature of the 



