THE GREYHOUND. 123

breathing organs, and the elevated hind quarters, says Mrs.
Bowdich, all shadow forth the peculiar qualities of these
dogs. Their coat has been adapted to the climate in which
they originally lived: here it is smooth; but becomes more
shaggy as they are from colder regions.” “The Scotch
Greyhound (Canis Scottcus),” she continues, * generally white,
with black clouds, is said to be the most intellectual! of all,
and formerly to have had so good a scent as to be employed
as a bloodhound. Maida, whose name is immortalized as
the favourite of Sir Walter Scott, was a Scottish greyhound.
The Irish is the largest of all the western breeds, and is
supposed to owe this distinction to mingling with the great
Danish dog. To it Ireland owes the extirpation of wolves,
though it now scarcely exists itself but in name.”

The greyhound is now principally bred for sporting purposes,
coursing being the favourite amusement. The great speed and
endurance of the dog is shown in this pastime. Mr. Jesse records
several instances of dogs who have died from exhaustion
rather than give up the chase, in one of which it is stated
that two dogs and a hare were found dead within a
few yards of each other after a run of several miles. Mr.
Daniel in his rural sports gives an instance in which a
brace of greyhounds chased a hare a distance of four
miles in twelve minutes.

The Greyhound’s Washington Irving tells the following story

Affection. of a greyhound’s affection for his master. “An
officer named St. Leger, who was imprisoned in Vincennes
(near Paris) during the wars of St. Bartholomew, wished to
keep with him a greyhound that he had brought up, and
which was much attached to him; but they harshly refused
him this innocent pleasure, and sent away the greyhound to
his house in the Rue des Lions Saint Paul. The next day
the greyhound returned alone to Vincennes, and began to
bark under the windows of the tower, where the officer was
confined. St. Leger approached, looked through the bars,