QUADRUPEDS. 
25 
THE MASTIFF 
Is the largest of the whole species ; he is a strong and 
fierce animal, with short pendent ears and a large head, 
great and thick lips hanging on each side, and a noble 
countenance; he is a faithful guardian, and a powerful 
defender of the house. 
A curious account is given, by Stow, of an engagement 
between three Mastiffs and a lion, in the presence of 
James the First. " One of the Dogs, being put into the 
den, was soon disabled by the lion, which took him by the 
head and neck, and dragged him about: another Dog 
was then let loose, and served in the same manner : but 
the third, being put in, immediately seized the lion by 
the lip, and held him for a considerable time ; till, being 
severely torn by his claws, the Dog was obliged to quit 
his hold ; and the lion, greatly exhausted in the conflict, 
refused to renew the engagement ; but taking a sudden 
leap over the Dogs, fled into the interior part of the den. 
Two of the Dogs soon died of their wounds ; the last sur- 
vived, and was taken great care of by the king's son, who 
said, ' He that had fought with the king of the beasts 
should never after fight with any inferior creature.' " 
The following anecdote will show, that the Mastiff, con- 
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