ill-treated and despised. The pariahs are never fed, and must steal. They roam at large, and have no particular masters.

Such dogs found their way among the Hebrews, and hence the Bible history represents dogs as despised. What was good for nothing was thrown to the dogs. And when a man spurned a mean act, he would say: "Is thy servant a dog that he should do this?" The Esquimo never speaks kindly to his dog, and sometimes, when hungry, the dog turns on his

master.

Where did our home dogs come from? What sort of animals were their wild parents? These questions, which the Perry children asked, it is not easy to answer with certainty; though it is not difficult to see how the taming of dogs might have happened. Wolves and jackals are social animals, and hunt in packs. How natural it would have been, far back in the dim ages, for such animals and savage men to find that they were chasing the same deer, and when they had caught it, to share their game; and thus, gradually, to become friends.

There are some other questions about dogs which may be answered: How many teeth has the dog in his two jaws? What are his canine teeth? How many toes has he on his fore feet, and how many on his hind feet? What are the

dew-claws which some dogs have?

And why

is it that a dog can be heard when he trots over a bare floor, and the steps of a cat, on the same floor, can not be heard?

7. WILD, BUT DOG-LIKE.

IF the eyes are open, and the mind looks through the eyes, it is easy to discover, among wild animals, those that are like the dog both in form and in habits of life. The foxes,-the red and gray foxes of America, and the common fox of Europe,-look like dogs, though their noses are much longer and sharper.

To the foxes add the large gray wolf of America, the coyote or prairie-wolf of the Rocky Mountains, the dingo of Australia, and the jackal of Asia and Africa. These, and many others, are dog-like.

In size, the red fox, which is the largest of his tribe, may be compared to the common spaniel dog. The jackal and dingo may stand by the shepherd dog; the coyote by the setter; and the gray wolf by the Newfoundland. Their cubs, or puppies, number five or six in a litter, and, like tame puppies, do not open their eyes until they are ten days old. As they grow they play, scuffle, and run around after their tails.

bushy tails.

The tame dog uses his tail to

express his feelings. He laughs and mourns partly by his tail. He wags it when he is pleased, and he drops it, and often curls it between his legs when he is frightened or ashamed. Among the wild dogs, foxes, jackals, dingoes, and coyotes have been seen, when in a happy state of mind, to wag their tails.

The wild dogs are beasts of prey. They live chiefly on the flesh of animals which they catch. Deer, antelopes, sheep, lambs, hares, rabbits, field-mice, birds, and poultry are their unfortunate victims. In every respect they are made for the life they lead. Their tools are fitted to their work-which is to defend themselves, and to catch, kill, and eat.

Watch the horse when he eats his oats, or the cow and the camel when they chew their cud. Their jaws work sideways, as well as up and down, because they must grind their food. Then observe the dog, or the wolf, or the hyena, while they are eating. Their jaws work up and down; never sideways. Raw meat is easily digested. It needs no grinding, and as soon as a mouthful is taken it is swallowed.

But the meat which dog-like animals eat must be cut; and, if it is alive and running, it must be caught. Not by climbing trees, nor by crouching and springing upon it do the wild dogs catch their prey, but by chasing it, running it down, and seizing it with their teeth. Their claws are not sharp enough, nor are they sufficiently hooked to hold a jumping, jerking rabbit, or to cling to a tree; but they are well fitted to dig with, and to keep their owners from slipping.

The teeth of the wild dogs seize, hold, and cut up their game. In the front part of their two jaws are twelve sharp cutting-teeth. Next are four long canine teeth, which pierce and hold a struggling victim. Back of these are twentysix teeth used for tearing, for cutting like scissors, and for chewing large pieces in two. Remembering the sad fate of Little Red Riding Hood, it will not be desirable to feel in the mouth of a wolf to count his teeth. Any tame

Bruno, Carlo, Jack, or Jip will permit friendly little fingers to feel of the teeth, and to count them if the work is done quickly.

To catch game by chasing it, the wild dogs use both speed and cunning. The fables teach how sly the fox is. Foxes usually hunt in pairs.

distribute themselves in a circle around a herd of deer; or a part of the pack will hide in a hollow place in the ground, while their companions drive the herd toward them. They cut the hamstrings of cattle when they chase them, but they never venture to do so with horses, for they well know what horses' heels can do.

F. A.-3.