Note 349 — CANES VENATICI. Class I.
William Dansey translation
The contiguity of India to Hyrcania, and the latter abounding with tigers, may be the cause of the same tale being told by Aristotle and Pliny of the tigri-canine cross of India, as by Gratius of that of Hyrcania. Both are of course purely fabulous. Whatever loss the fierce dog of Irak may occasion to pastoral property, herds and flocks—he is still to be cherished for his superior prowess in the savage hunt:—
Gratii Cyneg. vs. 167.
Sed præceps virtus ipsâ venabitur aulâ: Ille tibi et pecudum multo cum sanguine crescet; Pasce tamen, quæcunque domi tibi crimina fecit, Excutiet silvâ magnus pugnator adeptâ.
De curand. Græc. affect. Serm. ix. De leg. p. 128.
The people of Hyrcania fostered their savage race of dogs for the express purpose, amongst others, of devouring the bodies of the dead—a practice noticed by Theodoret as being discontinued by them and the Caspians after their conversion to Christianity.