tailed in Mr. Gulliver's Appendix
to the English version of Gerber's Anatomy, but I think that they are
now for the first time enlisted into the service of Natural History.

Thus we dismiss the fox as an alien to the dog, or, at all events, as
a distinct species. Then comes the claim of the wolf as the true
original of the dog. Before considering this, let us revert to the
question of what constitutes a species. Mr. Hunter was of opinion that
it is the power of breeding together and of continuing the breed with
each other; that this is partially the case between the dog and the
wolf is certain, for Lord Clanbrassil and Lord Pembroke proved the
fact beyond a doubt, above half-a-century ago; and the following
epitaph in the garden at Wilton House is a curious record of the
particulars:--

Here lies Lupa,
Whose Grandmother was a Wolf,
Whose Father and Grandfather were Dogs, and whose
Mother was half Wolf and half Dog.
She died on the 16th of October, 1782,
Aged 12 years.

Conclusive as this fact may appear, as proving the descent of the dog
from the wolf, it is not convincing, the dog having characters which
do not belong to the wolf.

The dog, for instance, guards property with strictest vigilance, which
has been entrusted to his charge; all his energies seem roused at
night, as though aware that that is the time when depredations are
committed. His courage is unbounded, a property not possessed by the
wolf: he appears never to forget a kindness, but soon loses the
recollection of an injury, if received from the hand of one he loves,
but resents it if offered by a stranger. His docility and mental
pliability exceed those of any other animal; his habits are social,
and his fidelity not to be shaken; hunger cannot weaken, nor old age
impair it. His discrimination is equal, in many respects, to human
intelligence. If he commits a fault, he is sensible of it, and shows
pleasure when commended. These, and many other qualities, which might
have been enumerated, are distinct from those possessed by the wolf.
It may be said that domestication might produce them in the latter.
This may be doubted, and is not likely to be proved; the fact is, the
dog would appear to be a precious gift to man from a benevolent
Creator, to become his friend, companion, protector, and the
indefatigable agent of his wishes. While all other animals had the
fear and dr