FLESH FOOD FROM MAMMALS. 63 



they praised his mutton, sent for the skin of the beast 

 and exhibited it to them ! * 



Many nations still consider the flesh of the dog excel- 

 lent. In the Society Islands and parts of Africa, young 

 puppies are considered a great delicacy. 



In China the poorer classes eat the flesh of aU dogs, 

 but the rich only once or twice a year, under the idea 

 that dog's flesh is a stimulant to the digestive functions. 



" The dog mostly consumed by the Chinese is of a 

 small size, and usually of a light brown colour, covered 

 with a coat of soft, short hair, so thick as to look almost 

 like wool. But the Chinese housewife refuses to cook 

 dogs in the family pot, or in the domestic kitchen, and 

 they are driven to the alternative of being boUed in 

 the streets. On any morning, in certain open spaces at 

 street corners, the execution of a certain number of 

 unfortunate chow-chow dogs may be witnessed; after 

 which, being skinned, they are forthwith placed in a 

 suspended cauldron and the disjecta membra are then to 

 be seen simmering, and inviting the passer-by to stop 

 and dine, which they do, there and then." f 



Captain Burton says the principal article of diet among 

 the Warori is fattened dogs' flesh, of which the chiefs are 

 inordinately fond. Schweinfurth states the flesh of the 

 dog is not disdained by the Mittoo tribes inhabiting the 

 territory within the 5° and 6° northern latitude. The 

 Niam-niam also consider dogs dainty food. Lapdogs 

 are fattened and used as food by the Western Balonda. 

 The Somrais of Central Africa raise dogs, their flesh 

 forming an article of food luxury. 



Bosman, in his " Description of Guinea," says, " the 

 negroes are great lovers of dogs' flesh, and they will 

 willingly give a sheep for a good-sized dog. They prefer 

 dogs' flesh for their eating to that of cattle, and accord- 

 ingly esteem a meal of that the best treat they can take 

 or give." The Africans of Zanzibar hold that a stew of 



♦ Cassell's "Natural History " and Ellis's " Hawaii." 

 t Collingwood's " Rambles of a Naturalist." 



