THE BUANSUAH. 199 



either by the guardianship of his home and property, by its skill and endurance in the 

 chase, or by affording him a means of transit over localities which no other animal could 

 successfully encounter. 



Before proceeding to the domesticated Dogs, we will examine the two species of Wild 

 Dog which nearest approach them. 



The Dhole, or Kholstjn, as it is sometimes called, inhabits the western frontiers of 

 British India, its range extending from Midnapore to Chamar, but does not appear to take up 

 its residence in other parts of the same great country. Even in the localities which are favored 

 by its presence, the Dhole seldom makes its appearance, and by many residents in India has 

 been counted but as a myth of the natives. It is a very shy animal, keeping aloof from man 

 and his habitations, and abiding in the dense dark jungles, which extend for hundreds of 

 miles, and afford little temptation for human beings to enter. 



Among the peculiarities of the Dhole's character, its fondness for the chase is perhaps the 

 most remarkable. There is nothing peculiar in the fact that the Dhole unites hi large packs 

 and hunts down game, both large and small, because many of the canine race, such as the 

 wolves and others, are known by many and tragical experiences to run down and destroy their 

 prey in like manner. But the Dhole is apparently the only animal that, although individually 

 so far the inferior of its fierce prey, in size, strength, and activity, has sufficient confidence in 

 its united powers, to chase and kill the terrible tiger, maugre his fangs and claws. 



From the observations which have been made, it seems that hardly any native Indian 

 animal, with the exception of the elephant and the rhinoceros, can cope with the Dhole ; that 

 the fierce boar falls a victim, in spite of his sharp tusks, and that the swift-footed deer fails to 

 escape these persevering animals. The leopard is tolerably safe, because the dogs cannot 

 follow their spotted quarry among the tree branches, in which he fortifies himself from their 

 attacks ; but if he were deprived of his arboreal refuge, he would run but a poor chance of 

 escaping with life from the foe. It is true that, in their attack upon so powerfully armed 

 animals as the tiger and the boar, the pack is rapidly thinned by the swift blows of the tiger's 

 paw, or the repeated stabs of the boar's tusks ; but the courage of the survivors is so great, 

 and they leap on their prey with such audacity, that it surely yields at last from sheer weari- 

 ness and loss of blood. 



It is probable that the sanguinary contests which often take place between the Dholes and 

 their prey have a great effect in checking the increase of the former animals, and that, if such 

 salutary influence were not at work, these bold and persevering hunters might increase to 

 such an extent as to become a serious pest to the country. 



In the chase, the Dhole is nearly silent, thus affording a strong contrast to the cheerful 

 tongue of the foxhound in "full cry," or the appalling howl of the wolf when in pursuit of a 

 flying prey. Only at intervals is the voice of the Dhole heard, and even then the animal only 

 utters a low, anxious wliimper, like that of a Dog which has lost its master, or feels uneasy 

 about its task. It is a swift animal in the chase, and Captain Williamson, who has seen it 

 engaged in pursuit of its prey, thinks that no animal could lead the Dhole a long chase. The 

 average number of individuals in the pack is about fifty or sixty. 



The color of the Dhole is a rich bay, darkening upon the feet, ears, muzzle, and tip of the 

 tail. In height it equals a rather small greyhound. It does not assault human beings unless 

 it be attacked, neither does it seem to fly from them, but in case of a sudden meeting, pursues 

 its avocations as if unconscious of the presence of an intruder. The countenance of this animal 

 is very bright and intelligent, chiefly owing to the keen and brilliant eye with which it is 

 favored. The Greek word "Cuon" signifies a hound. 



In the Wild Dog, which ranges Nepal and the whole of Northern India, the primitive 

 type of the Dog was thought to be found. This animal, the Bitansuah, presents many 

 points of similarity to the Dhole, and is said to rival the latter creature in its tiger-killing 

 propensities. 



Like the Dhole, it is a shy animal, and never willingly permits itself to be seen, preferring 



