CHAPTER VII.

THE DOG FAMILY--THE DOMESTIC DOG.

Section _Cynoidea_--Geographical Distribution--Skull of Dog--Teeth--Legs--Walk--Claws--Internal Anatomy--The Cæcum, or “Cul de sac” of the Intestine--Size--THE DOMESTIC DOG--Its Fidelity and Love--Differences between the Domesticated and Natural Species of the Family--Barking a Civilised Habit--Antiquity of the Dog--The Dog among the Hebrews and Egyptians--The Dog in the Bible--“Dog” as a Term of Reproach--Venerated by many Ancient Nations--The Dog among the Greeks and Romans--Pre-historic Dogs--Dogs in the New World--Peruvian Dogs--Superstitions about the Dog--The Dog as an article of Diet--Origin of the Dog--Identity of Structure of Wild and Domestic Dogs--The independent Training of Wild _Canidæ_ by Savages in many parts of the World--Voice--Results of the whole question as to Origin--Anecdotes about Instinct, Reason, Docility--Muscles of Dog’s Head--Consociation of Dogs--Anecdotes of Sense of Right, Wrong, Duty, Conscience--Sensitiveness, Honesty, Theft, Cunning, Quarrelsomeness, Magnanimity, the reverse, Revenge, Hatred--Conjugal Affection--Devotion to Man--Fickleness--Despair--Rabies and Hydrophobia--Wonderful Variety of Breed 96