History of British animals - University of Guam Marine Laboratory

10 MAMMALIA. FERA. Canis.The dressed skin, with the hair on, is used for pistol furniture, and thependent pouches of the Highland soldiers. The flesh is used as food, and thehind quarters, made into hams, are esteemed little inferior to bacon.It is sometimes found of a white colour. An opinion formerly prevailedamong naturalists, that there are two species of badgers, which they termedthe Sow-badger and the Dog-badger. But, in England, ever since the days ofRay, few have given credit to the existence of the former species. In somedistricts of Scotland, however, the distinction is still recognised. Thus, inthe " Statistical Account," " it is said, There are two species of badger foundamong the loose rocks of the Campsie Fells, the one somewhat resembling asow, the other a dog the ; first is more arched in the back, and is not so nimblein turning itself;" vol. xv. p. 322. Campsie, Rev. James Lapslie." Again,We have also two species of the badger ;" ib. vol. p. 4G6. Blair-Athol andStrowan, Rev. James Maclagan.At the conclusion of the British Plantigrada, two species formerly residentin the country deserve to be noticed, both belonging to the genus Uitsus.1. Uesus Arctos. Brown Bear.This animal not only prevailed in this country at the period of the Romaninvasion (for Plutarch relates that they were transported toof the efforts of theRome), but maintained its existence, in spitehuntsman, to the middle of the 11th century at least. In 1057, aGordon is said to have killed a fierce bear, and as a reward was permittedto carry three bears' (boars 9 ) heads in his banners. It was reckonedin Wales as a beast of the chace, equal to the boar or the hare, andmany places in that country still retain the name of Penn-arth, or thebear's head ;Penn. Brit. Zool. i. 7& " In an ancient Gaelic poemascribed to Ossian, the hero Dermid is said to have been killed by a bearin Beinn Ghiel-binn in Perthshire ;" Statistical Account, Kirkmichael,Banffshire, Rev. John Grant, vol. xii. p. 449. Though now banishedfrom this island, it is still to be found in France and Germany.5J. U. SpelcEus. Cave Bear.This species,so far as is known, has become extinct, and seems to have beencotemporary with the mammoth. It equalled a horse in size. Its remainsoccur sparinglyin some of the large English caves, which havebeen the graves of so many of the ancient inhabitants of this island.See BucMand"s lleliquia? Diluvianje, p. 17-DIGITIGRADA.I. Bruising grinders in each jaw.CANINADiE.Tzvo bruising grinders in each jaw.CCBcum.Furnished icith a smallGen. VIII. CANIS. Dog.— Pupil circular, diurnal. Forefeet with five, hind feet with four toes ; nails hollowed ;tongue smooth ;ears large ; nose moist, smell acute.13. CJiimiliaris.— Tail recurved.W, Ci,/m. Gast; A r Hund.,The dog has long been the companion of man in a domesticated state, andis the only animal which seems to prefer the company of his master to theindividuals of his own species. He fawns at his approach, will fight in his