THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND. 



205 



animal, the wild ass, as well as with the no less rapid antelope, and the slower, but more 

 dangerous, wild boar. 



Of all these creatures, the wild ass gives the most trouble, for it instinctively keeps to 

 rocky and mountainous neighborhoods, which afford a refuge unassailable by the sure-footed 

 Persian horse, and from which it can only be driven by such agile creatures as the native 

 Greyhounds. So untiring is the wild ass, and so boldly does it traverse the rocky mountain 

 spurs among which it loves to dwell, that a single ass will frequently escape, even though 

 several relays of Greyhounds have been provided to take up the running at different parts of 

 the course, as soon as their predecessors are fatigued. 



For the antelope the Greyhound would be no match, and is therefore assisted by the 

 falcon, which is trained to settle on the head of the flying animal, and by flapping its wings in 



:---:; Ml .,y.- i' 



ITALIAN GREYHOUND.— Canis fatnitiaris grajus italicus. 



the poor creature' s eyes, to prevent it from following a direct course, and thus to make it an 

 easier prey to the Greyhound which is following in the track. Of this curious mixture of 

 falconry and hunting the Persian nobles are passionately fond, and peril their lives in ravines, 

 and among rocks that would quail the spirit of our boldest fox-hunters. 



It is said that the Persian Greyhound is not the safest of allies, for if it should fail in its 

 chase, it is reputed to turn its wasting energies upon its master, and to force him, Actseon-like, 

 to seek his safety in flight ; or, more fortunate than his cornuted prototype, to rid himself of 

 his dependents by a blow from his ready scimitar. The Persian Greyhound is said to be 

 especially addicted to this vice when it is imported into India. 



This animal is rather slender in make, and its ears are " feathered" after the fashion of 

 the Blenheim spaniel' s ears. Nevertheless, it is a powerful and bold creature, and can hold its 

 own among any assemblage of Dogs of its own weight. 



A more utter contrast to the above-mentioned animal can hardly be imagined than that 

 which is afforded by the Italian Greyhound, a little creature whose merit consists in its 

 diminutive proportions and its slender limbs. Hotspur, leaning all breathless on his sword, 

 and stiff with his wounds, was not more entirely the opposite of the carpet knight, with pouncet 

 box to nose, and full of "parmaceti " babblings, than is the rough, fierce Greyhound of Persia, 

 of the delicate, shivering, faint-hearted Italian Greyhound ; sad type of the people from 

 which it takes its name. 



