352 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



a companion of vulgar appearance, there often springs up 

 between the pair a devotion which no time can after- 

 wards subdue. The passion, for such it really is, 

 becomes of a more than romantic endurance. The loved 

 one's image grows to be so impressed upon the mind — so 

 much so, that all the fruits of the body afterwards bear 

 its likeness. There may have been no intercourse 

 between the pair, but to animals of her breed, the bitch 

 may, contrary to her longings, have been devoted : and 

 yet, in the offspring she brings forth the object of her 

 affections will be represented. This, however, is very 

 likely to be the case, when the first male accepted is by 

 accident or neglect of impure origin. There have been 

 several well-marked cases illustrative of this fact, and 

 probably many which have never been properly observed. 

 The pecu.liarity of a high-bred bitch bringing forth a 

 blemished litter, would be set down to her throwing 

 back ; but perhaps a fair proportion of the cases thus 

 accounted for, might with justice be attributed to the 

 mental influence which has been pointed out. 



The first indication of a bitch approaching to desire, is 

 a slight enlargement of the teats. This may be observed 

 for a week, more or less, before the parts show any signs 

 of change. These last, however, soon begin to swell, and 

 a thick glairy discharge of simple mucus drains from 

 them in small quantities. The secretion becomes more 

 copious, and thinner, gradually changing its character to 

 that of blood ; and as that alteration in the fluid is 

 remarked, the labia grow larger, redder, and more hot. 



