108 
CaS'Id^. MAMMALIA. Canidae. 
doubt that they feed on rats, guinea pigs, small birds, 
and certain vegetables, if these fall in their way, hut 
chiefly on snails, toads, frogs, and other reptiles, and 
on the land crabs, which are abundant in the plains 
and sand-hanks. They walk with very long paces, 
run much, and are, D’Azara adds, great plunderers, 
although they always fly from man, and even from 
dogs. They are solitary in their habits, are said to 
swim well, and in their wild state to utter no sound 
hut gouaa. which they often and loudly repeat, so as 
to be heard at a great distance.” The Payaguas 
Indians call the lied wolf Parcej^aga; it is termed 
Culpcu by the natives of Chili. It is also known as 
the Aguara, a name likewise applied to a distinct race 
of wild dogs. 
THE DOG {Canislupus\iL\'.familiaris ). — We do not 
specifically recognize the dog as a distinct animal, and 
have previously expressed our adhesion to the view that 
these useful creatures are neither more nor less than 
domesticated varieties of the common wolf. The natural 
history of the Dog is a subject of considerable interest; 
but it is one so extended that the bare enumeration of 
the leading characteristics and habits of the principal 
varieties, would require an entire volume for their 
description and elucidation. Those, therefore, who 
wish to follow up this department of the subject, 
must consult works specially devoted to dogs. Some 
of the numerous canine varieties attain a very great 
size, with a proportionate degree of strength ; such, for 
Fia:. 
Dingo, The Wild 
a keen lively countenance. Though strictly wild and 
savage, it will not attack persons uidess first molested. 
These Dholes live almost entirely upon other animals, 
especially deer, which they hunt in large packs; 
authentic instances are also recorded where they have 
attacked and overcome tigers. Some have doubted this, 
but the evidence is complete; and, besides, there can 
be nothing improbable in the circumstance of wild dogs 
attacking tigers, when it is a well-known fact that com- 
mon spaniels will readily do the same thing; many a life. 
example, as the Bloodhound, the Mastiif, the Newfound- 
land, and the Thibet dog (Plate 6, fig. 23) ; others are 
remarkably small, as in certain varieties of Spaniel ; 
while a third kind are extremely attenuated both in 
shape and make, as instanced by the little Italian 
Greyhound. In many parts of the world, dogs have 
returned, at least to a certain extent, to their original 
wild condition. In this way they have formed several 
quite distinct races or typical varieties, which are 
found in difterent parts of Asia, Australia, and the two 
Americas. From a general consideration of these 
forms, it may be fairly stated that, both in structure 
and appearance, they exhibit a much closer approxi- 
mation to the common wolf than obtains in the case 
of any of the varieties which have remained domesti- 
cated. (For a full and able exposition of this subject, 
however, we must refer our readers to Mr. Bell’s work 
on “ British Quadrupeds,” and particularly, also, to the 
early part of Dr. Caipenter’s admirable article entitled 
“ Varieties of Mankind,” contained in the 4th volume 
of Dr. Todd’s “ Cyclopedia of Anatomy and Physio- 
logy.”) The Australian wild dog or Dingo, fig. 30, 
approaches so closely to the wolf, that it was described 
by Bewick as the “ New South AVales wolf.” The 
Indian Dhole is another interesting example of a return 
to the wild state. In some respects it comes nearer 
the jackal. The fur is of a bay or rufous-brown 
colour; the tail being long and narrow, and not bushy 
at the extremity. It has a remarkably bright eye, and 
30 . 
Dog of Australia. 
indeed, has been spared by the courage of the latter. 
When engaged in the chase or on the scent the Dholes 
do not howl or bark, but, at times of much excitement 
in the course, they utter a kind of plaintive whining 
note. Among other kinds of wild dogs which are more 
or less closely allied to the wolf, we may perhaps 
class the Ca 3 'gotte or Coyotl, whose fur has a whitish- 
brown colour. This animal is an inhabitant of South 
America, and feeds upon small quadrupeds, and also 
upon maize and other vegetable matters. 
