228 The Naturalist in Silwria. 



tame and the wild ; animals, too, so specifically distinct, 

 besides, usually at bitter war with one another ! Still 

 not unprecedented, many similar cases having been 

 recorded. 



Whether his semi-vulpine ancestry has done anything 

 to sharpen the wits of my sheep-dog, I know not ; 

 though like enough it has. Still there is nothing vulpine 

 in his nature, no fierce or ravening instincts, as might be 

 expected from such a strain ; instead, he is remarkably 

 gentle and affectionate. And never so happy as when he 

 sees a flock of sheep in the far-off field, and stands await- 

 ing the order to fetch them to the fold or up to the foot 

 of the shepherd. Then his eyes fairly dance in delight, 

 his whole body quivering with anticipated pleasure. On 

 getting the word " go," he is off like an arrow from the 

 bow, or a greyhound unleashed at a hare. But not with 

 like evil intent, for he treats the ovines tenderly as may 

 be. Necessarily, now and then, with his snout, he bowls 

 over one that is obstinate and will not run the right way, 

 but never to bite nor tear it. 



He is up to all sorts of sheep-dog doings, and that is 

 being up to a great deal, since some of these are positively 

 astounding. One I was witness to the other day fur- 

 nished as clear evidence of mental ratiocination as could 

 well be. A flock of sheep was being driven along the 

 road with, besides the driver, two dogs attendant. One 

 of these kept behind the sheep, the other in advance of 

 them, and at each open gate or break in the bordering 

 fences, the latter would take stand, and stay there as a 

 sentinel on post of guard till the headmost of the flock 

 were fairly up, with the certainty of their passing on. 

 Then would the knowing animal start off, and rush ahead 

 again, to look out for any other opening there might be 



