CARNIVORA. 
196 
there is too much of a vicious inclination in our na- 
ture, leading us to spurn the ladder, by which we 
have attained the elevation desired. The greatest 
naturalist of the present day observes, “ The whole 
of this race is become our property. Every in- 
dividual of it is absolutely devoted to his master : 
assumes his very habits; knows and defends his 
property ; and is attached to him even in death : 
and all this not arising from the necessities of the 
animal, or the constraint of his master, but entirely 
from gratitude and pure friendship on the part of 
the former. His rapidity, strength, and the acute- 
ness of his scent, have made him a most powerful 
ally of mankind against the other animals ; and 
were, possibly, necessary to the establishment of 
civil society. Although change of place and climate 
may probably have contributed greatly to multiply 
the existing varieties of the dog, it is remarkable, 
that this animal is the associate of mankind in every 
climate and situation ; while the generality of ani- 
mals, especially those of a wild nature, are local, 
and very much circumscribed as to the parts they 
inhabit.*’ 
The females are pregnant sixty-three days, and 
produce, generally, three, four, or five at a time : 
but some of the more fertile species bring from six 
to ten ; and I have been informed of one instance of 
a spaniel, which had thirteen whelps at a litter. 
They are born with the eyes closed, which do not 
open for ten days or a fortnight. They live, or- 
dinarily, fourteen or fifteen years ; Jbut frequently 
