ACCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS. 365 



an eyesore, and they are therefore usually removed. For my 

 part, I never in any of my own dogs interfere with them. 



If they are to be removed, it should always be done 

 when the animal is very young ; their excision then being 

 easily accomplished with a sharp pair of scissors, first dividing 

 the skin and the dew-claw being drawn to one side before it 

 is detached, in order that the skin may afterwards cover the 

 wound. 



CROPPING. 



Youatt observes, "This is an infliction of too much tor- 

 ture for the gratification of a nonsensical fancy ; and, after 

 all, in the opinion of many, and of those too who are fondest 

 of dogs, the animal looks far better in his natural state than 

 when we have exercised all our cruel art upon him." 



Blaine, on this subject, wisely remarks, " Nature gave noth- 

 ing in vain ; some parts being intended for use and some for 

 beauty. That must, therefore, be a false taste which has 

 taught us to prefer a curtailed shape to a perfect, without 

 gaining any convenience by the operation." 



Fashion however unfortunately, in this as with many other 

 matters relating to the lower animals, steps in and counte- 

 nances what is to all intents and purposes an act of wanton 

 cruelty, and until she is overruled we can only rely on those, 

 and I trust there are yet among us many such, who prefer 

 Nature to a piece of silver gained through creating an imper- 

 fection in her work, to gratify the taste of a whimsical or 

 fashionable judge. 



It does not appear to have, entered into the minds of these 

 wiseacres, that one great function of the external ear is the 

 protection of the more delicately arranged internal structure. 

 Have they ever observed a long-eared dog enter a rabbit- 

 hole ? Does he scramble through the sand with his ears full 

 cock ? A negative answer should sufiice. 



Again, the ears are full of expression. Alarm, excitement, 



