THE 
HORTICULTURAL REGISTER, 
May 1st, 1834. 
ARTICLE I. 
A SURMISE AS TO THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OF HYDROPHOBIA. 
by yiola. 
It would afford me much gratification, to ascertain if the following 
circumstance he correct, and can he corroborated by the observation 
of experienced naturalists. 
It is well known, that dogs and cats are in the habit of occasion¬ 
ally eating grass: as some persons conjecture, when instinct teaches 
them that they require medicine; while others (Doctor Jenner 
among the number) suppose it to be “a sign of rain.” Whatever 
be the cause,—th e fact that animals do 
“ Leave mutton bones on grass to feast,” 
no one can be ignorant of. 
Some months since, my attention was attracted by our yard dog, 
who appeared restless and uneasy, and was whining and pulling at 
the full length of his chain. I was induced to have him unfastened, 
and watch the result. On finding himself at liberty, he ran imme¬ 
diately into the orchard ; and after having investigated several tufts 
of couch grass, selected one of them, and proceeded leisurely and 
carefully, to snap off, one at a time, a few full grown blades, avoid¬ 
ing to eat either their tips or the lower part; refusing also the very 
young leaves, or those on the outside. I followed the dog from tuft 
to tuft, for a very considerable time, and saw, to my surprise, that 
each root was treated precisely in a similar manner, the ends of the 
blades remaining on the ground. 
When the animal had finished his epicurean salad, he ran away 
to a merry game with a little boy. 
My attention having been thus aroused, I have ever since attended 
to his petition to be let loose, that he may seek for grass; and I 
VOL. III. NO. 35. o 
