Quadrupeds. 1099 



retrievers, they are destructive, and cannot be left with safety in the 

 way of live stock, bearing in this, as well as in some other particulars, 

 a strong resemblance to the wolf, with which it is known that their 

 blood is occasionally blended. It may, however, be observed, that 

 independently of such known connexion, the whole group of which 

 we are now speaking has something more of the wolfish expression 

 than any other variety of the Canis familiaris. 



I may here take occasion to make an observation which I believe 

 to be by no means solely applicable to the case before us, but to hold 

 good with many other parts of Zoology, namely, that there exists what 

 may be termed a family likeness, which is very recognizable to the 

 eye of the practised observer, but which it is very difficult to reduce 

 to a verbal definition ; and that on the other hand a description may 

 be technically given, which fails to furnish distinctive characters, in 

 consequence of either not being universally applicable, or of being oc- 

 casionally found to be true of individuals of a different group. A pri- 

 ori, one would be led to infer that this must be the case with varieties 

 of the same species, since the influence of similar external circum- 

 stances may produce the like effect upon several varieties, without 

 their having a nearer affinity than that which exists between other 

 varieties, which, from the absence of like influences, have not the same 

 points of resemblance. Thus, an adequate supply of similar and con- 

 genial food, in a climate and situation equally adapted to the consti- 

 tution of the animal, will be likely to produce increase of stature in 

 varieties, which may be as distinct as community of species will per- 

 mit; whilst the combination of influences of an opposite character, 

 may produce a diminutive specimen of what is usually a large variety. 

 Dog-fanciers have become practically acquainted with these influen- 

 ces, which they bring into operation at pleasure. Not only the dimen- 

 sions of the whole body, but the relative proportion of particular parts 

 is susceptible of similar modification. Thus the nose may be render- 

 ed proportionably short and diminutive in individuals of a variety ge- 

 nerally presenting very opposite characters. Witness the small nose 

 of those spaniels which are bred at Blenheim, and of King Charles's 

 dogs, as contrasted with the same part of the common spaniel, in which 

 it is highly developed as an organ of smell. An equally striking il- 

 lustration is to be seen in the closely connected varieties, the bull-dog 

 and the greyhound, of which 1 shall have hereafter to speak. T am 

 induced to believe that the principle which I have stated, having been 

 overlooked, has allowed the classification of varieties of dogs founded 

 upon variable characters, which consequently clash with their real 

 affinities. 3 y 2 



