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VERTEBKATA. 
There is still another use of the dog, which a regard to the taste of oiir readers would naturally 
lead us to omit, but truth compels us to state that this animal is used in some countries as a 
luxury for the table. This practice is not of modern origin. Many of the Greek and Roman 
epicures were fond of the flesh of the dog. Galen speaks of it in the strongest terms of praise. 
Hippocrates says that the meat of old dogs is of a warm and dry quality, giving strength to the 
eater. Ananias, the poet, speaks of dog's flesh mixed with that of the hare and fox, Virgil 
recommends that the fatted dog should -be served up with whey or butter; and Dioscorides, the 
physician, says that dogs should be fed on the whey that remains after the making of cheese. 
It is not surprising that an animal whose flesh was thus regarded as delicious for food 
and of powerful hygienic virtues, should be esteemed an acceptable off'ering to the gods. Accord- 
ingly, we find that dogs were sacrificed at certain periods by the Greeks and Romans to almost 
all their deities, and particularly to Mars, Pluto, and Pan; to Minerva, Proserpine, and Lucina; 
and also to the Moon, because the dog, by his barking, dispelled all charms and spells, and 
frightened away all specters and apparitions. The Greeks immolated many dogs in honor of 
Hecate, because by their baying the phantoms of the lower world were evoked. A great num- 
ber of dogs were also destroyed in Samothrace in honor of the same goddess. Dogs were 
periodically sacrificed in February, and also in April and in May ; also to the goddess Rubigo, 
who presided over the corn, and the Bona Dea, whose mysterious rites were performed on Mount 
Aventine. The dog Cerberus was supposed to be Avatching at the feet of Pluto, and a dog and a 
youth were periodically sacrificed to that deity. The night when the Capitol had nearly been 
destroyed was annually celebrated by the cruel scourging of a dog in the principal public places, 
even to the death of the animal. 
These habits of the ancients naturally passed to the modern nations of Europe, modified, 
however, by the state of manners. Before Christianity was established among the Danes, on 
every ninth year, at the Avinter solstice, a monstrous sacrifice of ninety-nine dogs was offered. 
In Sweden the sacrifice was still worse. On each of nine successive days, ninety-nine dogs were 
destroyed. This sacrifice of the dog, however, gave way to one more horrible. On every ninth 
year, ninety-nine human victims were immolated, and the sous of the reigning tyrant among the 
rest, in order that the life of the monarch might be prolonged ! 
The use of the dog for food exists extensively at the present day. We have already spoken of 
the dogs of Loango, fattened for the shambles. Among the Chinese, dog meat is as well estab- 
lished in the markets as mutton. All the American Indians feed on dogs, as opportunity or 
occasion offers. Many civilized men, especially voyagers and travelers in the Arctic regions, 
prompted by hunger, have made their meal on this animal. Some of them, in their narratives, 
speak of roast-dog with a gusto that veal or venison could hardly provoke. 
We now proceed wi-th our classification of dogs, and a brief description of the most remarkable 
varieties ;. 
DIVISION I.— THE GREYHOUND AND ITS KINDRED. 
The Greyhound : C. familiaris leporarius. — Of this there is a great variety, all characterized 
by a small head, slender limbs, and a gaunt form. An old description says : 
" A greyhonode should be headed lyke a snake, Tayled lyke a ratte, 
And neckyd lyke a drake, Syded like a teme, 
Fotyd lyke a cat, And chyned like a bream." 
In hunting, greyhounds usually follow by sight, and not by scent. Their name does not indi- 
cate their color, as they are of various complexions. They are not of the highest order of intelli- 
gence, nor are they distinguished by great attachment to their masters ; but many of them are 
favorites, some for their swiftness in the chase, and others for the extreme elegance of their shape. 
This breed is mentioned so early as the time of Ovid : 
" As when th' impatient greyhound, slipp'd from far, 
Bounds o'er the glade to course the fearful hare, 
She in her speed does all her safety lay, 
And he with double speed pursues the prey ; 
O'eri-uns her at the sitting turn, but licks 
