336 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



black or yellow spots. It is sometimes erroneously called 

 the Danish Dog. . 



The Turnspit, (Cards Vertagus. L.) There are two va- 

 rieties of the Turnspit ; one with the fore-legs crooked, the 

 other with the legs straight. The head is like that of the 

 Pointer and Hound, 



The third subdivision of M. Frederic Cuvier includes 

 the following varieties. 



The Bull-Dog, (Canis Molossus. L.) The round, thick 

 head, turned-up nose, and thick pendulous lips of this- 

 formidable Dog, are familiar to all. The nostrils of this 

 variety are frequently cleft. 



The want of that degree of discernment which is found 

 in so many of the canine varieties, added to the ferocity 

 of the Bull-Dog, make it extremely dangerous, when its 

 courage and strength are employed to protect the person or 

 property of its owner, or for any domestic purpose; since, 

 unlike many of the more sagacious, though less powerful 

 Dogs, which seem rather more anxious to give the alarm, 

 when danger threatens, by their barking, than to proceed 

 immediately to action, the Bull-Dog, in general, makes a 

 silent but furious attack ; and the persisting powers of its 

 teeth and jaws enable it to keep its hold against any but 

 the greatest efforts, so that the utmost mischief is likely to 

 ensue, as well to the innocent visitor of its domicile, as to 

 the felonious intruder. 



The savage barbarity, which, in various shapes, is so apt 

 to show itself in the human mind, particularly when un- 

 checked by education and refinement, has encouraged the 

 breed of this variety of the Dog, in order that gratification 

 may be derived from the madness and torture of the Bull 

 and other animals, when exposed to the attacks of these 

 furious beasts ; and it is observed, that, since the decline of 

 such sports, Bull Dogs have diminished in number ; an 



