Is taller than the old English Hound, most beautifully formed, and superior to every other kind in activity, speed, and sagacity. They seldom bark, except in the chase: they are commonly of a reddish or brown colour, with long ears. They never leave their game until they have caught and killed it. They are employed in chasing the hare, fox, hart, badger, &c.

Bloodhounds were formerly used in certain districts lying between England and Scotland, which were much infested by robbers and murderers; and a tax was laid upon the inhabitants for keeping and maintaining a certain number of them. But as the arm of justice is now extended over every part of the country, and there are no secret recesses where villany may lie concealed, these services are no longer necessary; but they are still used to hunt the felon, in the Spanish West Indies, and many surprising anecdotes are told of their wonderful sagacity and power of scent.

The old English Hound, the original breed of the island, and used by the ancient Britons in the chase, is a most valuable Dog; though the breed has been gradually declining, and the size studiously diminished by a mixture of other kinds, in order to increase the speed. It seems to have been accurately described by Shakspeare in the following lines :

"My Hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind,
So flew'd, so sanded; and their heads are hung
With ears that sweep away the morning dew;
Crook-kneed and dew-lapp'd, like Thessalian bulls;
Slow in pursuit; but match'd in mouth like bells,
Each under each."

HAS received from nature a very keen smell, good understanding, and uncommon docility. He is used in setting for partridges, pheasants, quails, &c. His steadiness in the field, his caution in approaching game, his patience in keeping the bird at bay till the

fowler discharges his piece, are real objects of admiration.

"When milder autumn summer's heat succeeds,
And in the new-shorn field the partridge feeds,
Before his lord the ready Spaniel bounds;
Panting with hope, he tries the furrow'd grounds;
But when the tainted gales the game betray,
Couch'd close he lies and meditates the prey;
Secure they trust th' unfaithful field beset,
Till hovering o'er them sweeps the swelling net."

Is about the size of a bulldog, and spotted like a spaniel. In disposition it is docile, and, when trained, is of the greatest service to the sportsman who delights in shooting. It is astonishing to see to what a degree of obedience these animals may be brought. Their sight is equally acute with their scent; from which quickness of sight, they are enabled to perceive at a distance the smallest sign from their master. When they scent their game, they fix themselves like statues, in the very attitude in which they happen to be at the moment. If one of their fore feet is not on the ground when they first scent, it remains suspended, lest, by putting it to the ground, the, game might be too soon

alarmed by the noise. In this position they remain, until the sportsman comes near enough, and is prepared to take his shot; when he gives the word, and the dog immediately springs the game. This attitude has often been selected by the artist.

Is excellent for hunting otters, wild ducks, and other game, whose retreat is among the rushes and reeds which cover the banks of rivers, the fens, and the ponds. He is very sagacious, and perhaps the most docile and tractable of all the canine tribe. The Newfoundland Dogs are of this class, and the largest of the family; their strength and their faithfulness to their masters are well known, and the concurrence of both has often proved most useful to people who were on the point of being drowned.

The smaller Water Spaniels partake of the qualities of the others; they fetch and carry whatever they are bid, and often dive to the bottom of deep water in search of a piece of money, which they bring up in their mouths, and lay down at the feet of whom ever sent them; the best breed has black curly hair and long ears.

Is the largest of the whole species; is a strong and fierce animal; has 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 survived, and was taken great care of by the king's son, who said, 'He that had