WILD DOG OF THE HIMALAYA. 



235 



head has any resemblance to that of the Hyaenas, why is not the Budnsu 

 classed under Cuvier's Third Section of the Dogs distinguished by a 

 short muzzle ? and why is not this animal separated altogether, by reason 

 of his dental system, from the dogs proper, instead of being made their 

 archetype? In answer to the first question I would observe thati have ranged 

 the Budnsu under the Second Section rather than the Third or First, from 

 the preponderant character of the skull, derived from the greater number 

 and importance of all those indications which belong to it. In reply to 

 the second question I would say, much in the same way, that though the 

 Budnsu s system of dentition be anomalous, the anomaly is of small im- 

 portance in comparison of the whole of those peculiarities of entire form 

 and expression, manners and habits which decide him to be a proper Dog: 

 and that, assuming him to be such, there seems to be peculiar propriety 

 in selecting him, an unquestionably wild animal, to be the prototype of 

 his race in preference either to a half reclaimed variety of the Dog, or, to 

 the wolf, jackal, or fox, — races, wild indeed, but such as the learned now 

 at last are agreed with mankind in general in considering as distinct from 

 the true Canine race. There are indeed dithculties lying at the bottom of 

 this subject, as connected with larger question of the true nature and limits 

 of species, which I pretend not to cope with ; but until they are solved I 

 deem it natural and philosophical to adopt the specifical differences and 

 identities of the world at large. The Nipakse universally call the Budnsu 

 a dog; and this general impression, derived from a much closer acquaint- 

 ance with the natural habits and demeanour of the animal than Europeans 

 can ever hope to possess, has, I confess, the greatest weight with me. 

 For the rest, and in conclusion, I crave permission to say to the querulous 

 objector— 5« (ptid nouisfi kc. or, in a better spirit, let me exhort him to use 

 my facts— reject my speculations — and subsiiiulc his own; creating, if 

 he pleases, a new Sub-division of the Dl^lliLn-adrs rliaractcriscd by one 

 tubercular tooth behind the uirat carnivorous tooth ii> tlu- 1o\v(m- jaw. lie 

 will find a vacant mrhc. for such a new uroup between C"lvii:us Second 



