NOTES ON THE DOG TRIBE. 



165 



In a word, all untrained dogs may be considered 

 as worthless outcasts, possessing no good qualities 

 whatever. Whereas, on the other hand, dogs 

 which have been trained by man for certain pur- 

 poses, are of vast utility to him ; and with a few 

 drawbacks, may be considered in the light, both 

 of friends and companions. 



I cannot be persuaded, that, dogs existed in 

 South America, ere that country was discovered 

 by the Europeans. See the " Wanderings." 



Dogs and cattle must have been imported. Still, 

 how has it happened, that the breed of cattle, 

 originally from Europe, should now positively 

 swarm in America ; whilst the dog, from the same 

 country, is but a solitary animal ; increasing cer- 

 tainly, as individuals, in the civilized parts, but no 

 where to be found in those where man is not 

 located ? 



The question is easily answered. Cattle are 

 gregarious by their own nature ; — but, dogs are 

 not. What! — dogs not gregarious, when we see 

 packs of them in the hunting grounds ; and when 

 we read of congregated dogs, and their cousins the 

 wolves, tearing unfortunate travellers to pieces ; 

 and eating them up; are these dogs not gregarious? 

 No : — not in the true sense of the word. 



I hold it as a maxim, (whatever naturalists may 



