478 
hounds ”’ of the desert, and made mention 
of them when treating of sport. The 
Eastern methods of coursing are highly 
praised. 
Slughis are often spoken of by Arab 
writers, and in Arab poetry with the horse 
and camel “the hounds to the chase well 
trained” play their part. In a celebrated 
pre-Islamic poem * is described the sad fate 
of two “ fine-trained lop-eared hounds, with 
slender sides, which are let slip and lightly 
outrun the sharp-horned white antelope.” 
In a Bedawin song, of a later date, a 
THE NEW BOOK OF THE DOG. 
Persian MSS. give another glimpse of the 
Tazi. In Venetian masterpieces, which por- 
tray the pomp of West and East, these dis- 
tinguished-looking Greyhounds with silky 
ears occupy prominent positions, asin ‘‘ The 
Marriage of Cana” and ‘“‘ The Finding of 
Moses,” by Paul ‘Veronese. 
The accounts of travellers in many 
instances further enrich the story of the 
Slughi. They are impressed chiefly by the 
swiftness and appearance of these dogs. 
Two of these references may be quoted. 
In 1508 on the shores of the Persian Gulf 
the great Portuguese 
conqueror and naviga- 
“| tor, Alfonso Dalbo- 
querque, describes the 
hunting of gazelle with 
falcons and “ very swift 
hounds.” Nearly four 
hundred years later, 
Sir Henry Layard 
writes to his mother 
from Nimroud, “I have 
two beautiful Grey- 
hounds of first-rate 
breed. I wish I could 
send them to you, for 
with their silky ears 
and feathered tails 
they are quite drawing- 
A PERSIAN GREYHOUND. 
AFTER THE PAINTING BY C, HAMILTON. 
From AN ENGRAVING BY T. E, NICHOLSON. 
blind poet pictures himself again hunting 
with his Silaga. 
At the time of the Crusades the Grey- 
hound of the East became the fashion among 
crusaders, who are said to have brought 
specimens back to Europe “as a_ living 
proof of the pilgrimage accomplished.” A 
beautiful Gazelle Hound is represented in a 
portrait of Duke Henry the Pious, of Saxony, 
wearing a collar decorated with the scallop 
shell (badge of the pilgrim). 
The exquisite illuminations in many early 
* One of the seven “‘ Golden Odes ” (‘‘ Moalla- 
kat’’). Lebid. Translation by Coulston, and 
Lady Anne Blunt. 
voom dogs. They catch 
hares capitally, but are 
too young yet for 
gazelle.” 
Of medium size, with 
exceptional attributes for sport, the Gazelle 
Hound has the addition of beauty and 
refinement. With what has been aptly 
called ‘“‘a human expression” in his 
eyes, bespeaking a most gentle and faith- 
ful disposition, the Slughi will always 
be found a _ valuable companion. His 
symmetry of form and _ distinguished 
appearance, make him the pride of his 
fortunate possessor, and also a conspicuous 
and very interesting addition to the show 
ring.* 
* Specimens of the Slughi (Shami) have been 
imported into England and bred by Miss Lucy 
Bethel and the Hon. Florence Amherst. 
