MASTIFF. 



Generic Characters. 

 Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw. 

 Five toes on the fore feet, four (a) on the hinder ones, 

 Vifage long. 



Syxoxtms. 

 Canis molossus, Linn. Syjl. 57. 

 Mastiyus, Rati Syn. Quad. 1 76. 

 Le Dogue de fort Race, de Buffon, tab. xlv. 



THE MaitiiT is a variety of the Dog kind, to which the people of Great 

 Britain are much indebted, for his lingular fidelity and care in guarding 

 whatever property is placed under his protection, which he never fails to 

 defend from attacks of all kinds, even at the rilk of his own life ; and this 

 office he is particularly well enabled to perform, by his extraordinary lize, 

 ftrength, and courage. His head is large, his under lips hang down on each 

 fide, and his countenance is majeltic and noble, he appears to treat all other 

 Dogs with a contempt which clearly indicates a confeioufnefs of his 

 fuperiority over them. His difpofition is generous, and he will not abufe the 

 power with which he is intruded, nor call it forth to action, unlefs provoked 

 by injuries ; and even then he will not refent trifling infults, farther than by 

 mewing his power to do it : of this an anecdote, mentioned by Mr. Bewick, is 

 a linking inllancc. " A large Dog of this kind, belonging to the late 

 M. Ridley, Efq. of Heatton, near Newcaltle, being frequently molelled by a 



(a) Mr. Pennant remarks that this character is invariable in the wild fpecies of Dogs; as the Wolf, the 

 Fox, &c. but that the common Dogs have often five toes on each foot. 



