THE HOUND. 233 
speed, very considerable powers of scent, dauntless cour- 
age, and often actual ferocity. They always run at the 
head like the bull-dog, and one of them is a match for a 
ted-deer ora wolf, while a brace are said to be able to 
pull down a bull, and would doubtless show their prowess 
successfully against that noblest of the cervine family, 
the great American elk, wapiti deer or we-waskish of the 
plains. 
This splendid specimen of the dog is so nearly extinct 
in its true form, and so nearly impossible of attainment 
even in Scotland, that, being absolutely necessary in that 
country for the pursuit of the wounded harts in the 
boundless, open, heathclad deer-forests of the highland hills, 
on which bloodhounds or foxhounds cannot be used, since 
their baying would banish all the stags from the land, Art 
has been called in aid of Nature, and by scientific and 
judicious crossing an animal is obtained closely resembling 
the original breed, his equal in size and power, and as well 
adapted for the uses to which he is applied. This animal, 
now, is for the most part known as the Highland deer- 
hound. It is said that they are now so nearly established 
as a distinct family, that they are reproduced like for like, 
for generations. 
The usual cross is the Scotch wire-haired colly, the fox- 
hound, and the greyhound. Sir Walter Scott’s celebrated 
and now classical dog ‘‘ Maida,” was the progeny of a 
Pyrenean sheep-dog and a greyhound bitch; and I have 
no doubt that across of great excellence might be got 
from the great Albanian or Epirotic mastiff, the canis 
molossus of the ancients, and the greyhound; and should 
