The generic1 characters of this well known group, comprehending not only the various races of the Dog, the Wolf, and the Jackal, but also the numerous species of Foxes, which differ from the rest only in the form of the pupils of their eyes (which are round in the former, and transversely linear in the latter) may be shortly enumerated2 as follows. They are all furnished in the upper jaw3 with six sharp incisors and two canine4 teeth in front, and with six molars on each side; the same number of each description is also to be found in the lower, with the addition of a seventh grinder. Their tongue is perfectly5 smooth, the papill? which cover it[84] being soft and velvety6 to the touch, instead of rough and pointed7 as in the Hy?nas and Cats. They have five toes to each of the fore8 feet, of which only the four outermost9 touch the ground, the fifth being always more or less elevated. On the hind10 feet the number of the toes is no more than four, for although the rudiment11 of a fifth is distinctly visible in the skeleton, it is rarely observable in the living animal. On these toes they constantly support themselves in walking, the soles of their feet, or rather that part of the legs which corresponds to the soles of plantigrade animals, never being applied13 to the surface of the ground on which they tread. Their claws are blunt, strong, but little curved, and not at all retractile; and their use is evidently limited to turning up the earth. Their muzzle14 is more or less elongated15 to afford space for the ample series of lateral16 teeth; and the strength of their jaws17, as well as the extent of opening between them, is by this means much diminished. In most of these particulars they exhibit a striking contrast with the more perfect of the carnivorous races, and afford grounds for expecting an equally manifest falling off from their ferocious18 and sanguinary propensities19. The dogs are in fact by no means equally carnivorous with the cats; and their teeth, especially the grinders, are fitted as well for the demolition20 of vegetable as of animal substances.
In a wild state, however, they subsist21 themselves principally by preying22 upon the inferior animals, feeding with nearly equal relish24 upon the warm and palpitating fibres of a fresh and almost living victim, and upon the mangled25 carcass which taints26 the air with its unsavoury exhalations. Their habitation is in the depths[85] of the forest, where the larger species form themselves dens27 in the close and thick underwood, while the smaller burrow28 in the earth for shelter. Their lengthened29 muzzle and the great extent to which all the cavities connected with the nose are dilated30, are admirably fitted for giving to the organ of smell the fullest developement of which it is capable. It is the perfection of this organ, combined with the general lightness and muscularity of their frame and the firm agility31 of their elongated limbs, which renders many of the species such excellent hunters, by enabling them to scent32 their prey23 at an immense and sometimes almost incredible distance, and to run it down in the chase with indefatigable33 swiftness and unrelaxing pertinacity34.
The very terms of the specific character by which Linn?us attempted to distinguish the domesticated35 from the other dogs, “the tail curved upwards36 (towards the left),” may be regarded as affording in themselves a sufficient proof of the difficulty of the task, when so great a naturalist37, after taking a complete review of all the particulars of their organization, was compelled to rest contented38 with a distinction drawn39 from so trifling40 and apparently41 insignificant42 a remark. It would in fact appear to be absolutely impossible to offer in any form of words whatever a character sufficiently43 comprehensive to combine the almost infinite varieties of this Protean44 race, and at the same time to separate them from those other races from which they are generally believed to be specifically distinct. To this observation of Linn?us almost the sole addition that has been made by later zoologists45 consists in a remark of M. Desmarest, that whenever a spot of white is found upon any part of the[86] tail of a domestic dog, the tip of that very variable organ is also constantly white; so that we are still driven to recur46 to the tail alone for the only uniform physical characteristics that have been pointed out to distinguish an animal, which every one recognises at first sight, and which indeed it is impossible to mistake.
But it is to the moral and intellectual faculties47 of the Dog that we must look for those remarkable48 peculiarities49 which distinguish him in so eminent50 a degree not only from his immediate51 neighbours, but also from every other quadruped. Unfortunately we have not the means of comparing him in a pure state of nature with the other animals of his tribe; for although it has been repeatedly attempted to determine his primitive52 stock, there can be no doubt that upon this point we are still as much as ever in the dark. There exist, however, in various parts of the world, considerable numbers of Dogs, the descendants unquestionably of races formerly53 domesticated, which, to all appearance, differ but little in their habits and manners from the Wolf and the Jackal, to one or other of which they frequently approach in form, and from each of which it has been confidently asserted that the domestic species was primarily derived54. But the doubts to which this striking similarity might otherwise give rise are instantly removed by the readiness with which these wild Dogs submit to the control of man, and become familiarized with that state of servitude to which nature appears to have destined55 them from the first. Other animals may indeed be tamed; they may become playful, familiar, and even affectionate; but none of them have hitherto been taught, even by long-continued training, to exhibit[87] qualities of mind in any degree comparable to the absolute subserviency56, the undeviating attachment57, the submissive docility58, and the acute intelligence, which these invaluable59 animals almost spontaneously manifest, when placed in circumstances favourable60 to their developement.
So much has been written by authors of every description, from the earliest ages down to the present time, upon every point connected with their history and habits, and the space which we could devote to their illustration in the present volume is so small, that we choose rather not to enter at all upon the subject than to treat of it in the very abrupt61 and imperfect manner to which we should necessarily be restricted. It only remains62 therefore to add a few observations relative to the extremely beautiful leash63 of hounds which are figured at the head of the present article, before passing to the consideration of the remaining species of the group which are at present contained in the Menagerie.
These are two males and one female, belonging to the most elegant as well as the most intelligent variety of the species, that to which Linn?us, on account of the high degree to which the latter quality was carried in them, gave par12 excellence64 the epithet65 of sagax. They were presented by Major, now Colonel Denham, on his return from the most successful expedition that has perhaps ever been made into the evil-omened regions of Central Africa, from whence they were brought by that gallant66 traveller, who also gave Mr. Cops the following account of their qualifications for the chase. He had repeatedly, he said, made use of them in hunting the Gazelle, in their pursuit of which he had observed that[88] they displayed more cunning and sagacity than any dogs with which he was acquainted, frequently quitting the line of scent for the purpose of cutting off a double, and recovering it again with the greatest facility. They would follow a scent after an hour and a half or even two hours had elapsed; and the breed was therefore commonly employed in Africa for the purpose of tracing a flying enemy to his retreat. They are in fact, both for symmetry and action, perfect models; and there are few sportsmen who will not regret that there appears no chance of crossing our own pointers with this interesting breed. A mixed race, combining the qualifications of both, would unquestionably be one of the most valuable acquisitions to our sporting stock; but, unhappily, this union seems to be altogether hopeless; for although they have now been more than three years in England, and are in excellent health and condition, they appear, like many other animals restrained of their liberty and kept constantly together, to have no disposition67 to perpetuate68 their race. The males are remarkably69 good tempered; the female on the contrary is surly and ill natured.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
generic
|
|
| adj.一般的，普通的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
enumerated
|
|
| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
jaw
|
|
| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
canine
|
|
| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
velvety
|
|
| adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
fore
|
|
| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
outermost
|
|
| adj.最外面的，远离中心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
rudiment
|
|
| n.初步；初级；基本原理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
par
|
|
| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
muzzle
|
|
| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
elongated
|
|
| v.延长，加长( elongate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
lateral
|
|
| adj.侧面的，旁边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
jaws
|
|
| n.口部；嘴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
ferocious
|
|
| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
propensities
|
|
| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
demolition
|
|
| n.破坏,毁坏,毁坏之遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
subsist
|
|
| vi.生存，存在，供养 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
preying
|
|
| v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
relish
|
|
| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
mangled
|
|
| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
taints
|
|
| n.变质( taint的名词复数 )；污染；玷污；丑陋或腐败的迹象v.使变质( taint的第三人称单数 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
dens
|
|
| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
burrow
|
|
| vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
lengthened
|
|
| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
dilated
|
|
| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
agility
|
|
| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
indefatigable
|
|
| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
pertinacity
|
|
| n.执拗，顽固 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
35
domesticated
|
|
| adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
naturalist
|
|
| n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
protean
|
|
| adj.反复无常的；变化自如的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
zoologists
|
|
| 动物学家( zoologist的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
recur
|
|
| vi.复发，重现，再发生 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
faculties
|
|
| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
peculiarities
|
|
| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
eminent
|
|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
primitive
|
|
| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
derived
|
|
| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
subserviency
|
|
| n.有用，裨益 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
57
attachment
|
|
| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
docility
|
|
| n.容易教，易驾驶，驯服 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
invaluable
|
|
| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
favourable
|
|
| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
abrupt
|
|
| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
leash
|
|
| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
excellence
|
|
| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
epithet
|
|
| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
perpetuate
|
|
| v.使永存，使永记不忘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
remarkably
|
|
| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |