Note 425 — CANES VENATICI. Class III.

Gesner has introduced into his Appendix a representation of the “Canis Scoticus Venaticus, quem Scoti vocant ane grewhownd, id est canem Græcum:” and calls itHistoria Animalium ex Boethio. “genus venaticum cum celerrimum tum audacissimum: nec modò in feras, sed in hostes etiam latronesque præsertim si dominum ductoremve injuriâ affici cernat, aut in eos concitetur.” SeeSpencer’s Beth Gélert, or The Grave of the Greyhound. “the Complaynt of Bagsche, the Kingis auld hound,” by Lyndsay, for a quaint description of some of the qualities of the highland breed. Poor Cilhart, too, the luckless wolf-hound of the precipitate Llewellyn, will furnish an early example of the mountain sort. Nor should the Ossianic Maida—καλὸς μὲν δέμας ἐστὶν—by Landseer, be overlooked, as a splendid type of the race on canvass; though not quite Celtic in his blood.

A breed of Sagaci-celeres is at present preserved in Scotland, between the English greyhound and Leicestershire fox-hound: the first cross of which is represented to be remarkably handsome, fleet, and courageous. This race is employed for the deer-chase in the forest of Athol and elsewhere.