OF NATURAL HISTORY. 451 



of the dog are acute. When thefe are aided by inftrudion, the 'fa- 

 gacity he difcovers, and the a£tions he is taught to perform, often 

 excite our wonder. Thofe animals which man has taken under his 

 immediate protedion are taught to perform artificial aftions, or have 

 their natural inftinds improved, by three modes of inftrudtion, pu- 

 nifliment, reward, and imitation. More dudile in his nature than 

 moft other animals, the dog not only receives inftrudion with rapi- 

 dity, but accommodates his behaviour and deportment to the man- 

 ners and habits of thofe who command him. He aflumes the very 

 tone of the family in which he refides. Eager, at all times, to pleafe 

 his mafter, or his friends, he furioufly repels beggars ; becaufe he 

 probably, from their drefs, conceives them to be either thieves, or 

 competitors for food. 



Though every dog, as well as every man, is naturally a hunter, 

 the dexterity of both is highly improved by experience and inftruc- 

 tion. The varieties of dogs, by frequent intermixtures with thofe 

 of different climates, and perhaps with foxes and wolves, are fo great, 

 and their inflinds are fo much diverfified, that, even though they 

 produce with each other, we fhould be apt to regard them as diffe- 

 rent fpecies. What a difference between the natural difpofitions of 

 the fliepherd's dog, the fpaniel,and the grey-hound? The fhepherd's 

 dog, independently of all inftrudion, feems to be endowed by Nature 

 with an innate attachment to the prefervation of ftieep and cattle. 

 His docility is likewife fo great, that he not only learns to under- 

 ftand the language and commands of the fhepherd, and obeys them 

 with faithfulnefs and alacrity, but, when at diftances beyond the 

 reach of his matter's voice, he often ftops, looks back, and recog- 

 nifes the approbation or dlfapprobation of the fhepherd by the mere 

 waving of his hand. He reigns at the head of a flock, and is better 

 heard than the voice of his mafler. His vigilance and adtivity pro- 

 diuce order, difcipllne, and fafety. Sheep and cattle are peculiarly 



3 L 2. fubjeded 



