The first Section of this discourse .

¶ The Preamble or entraunce, into this treatise.

I wrote vnto you (well beloued friende Gesner ) not many yeares past, a manifolde historie, contayning the diuers formes and figures of Beastes, Byrdes, and Fyshes, the sundry shapes of plantes, and the fashions of Hearbes, &c.

I wrote moreouer, vnto you seuerally, a certayne abridgement of Dogges, which in your discourse vpon the fourmes of Beastes in the seconde order of mylde and tameable Beastes, where you make mencion of Scottishe Dogges, and in the wynding vp of your Letter written and directed to Doctour Turner , comprehending a Catalogue or rehersall of your bookes not yet extant, you promised to set forth in print, and openly to publishe in the face of the worlde among such your workes as are not yet come abroade to lyght and sight.

But, because certaine circumstaunces were wanting in my breuiary of Englishe Dogges (as seemed vnto mee) I stayed the publication of the same, making promise to sende another abroade, which myght be commytted to the handes, the eyes, the eares, the mindes, and the iudgements of the Readers. Wherefore that I myght perfourme that preciselye, which I promised solempnly, accomplishe my determination, and satisfy your expectacion: which art a man desirous and capeable of all kinde of knowledge, and very earnest to be acquaincted with all experimentes: I wyll expresse and declare in due order, the grand and generall kinde of Englishe Dogges, the difference of them, the vse, the propertyes, and the diuerse natures of the same, making a tripartite diuision in this sort and maner.

Of these three sortes or kindes so meane I to entreate, that the first in the first place, the last in the last roome, and the myddle sort in the middle seate be handled.

I cal thẽ vniuersally all by the name of English dogges, as well because England only, as it hath in it English dogs, so it is not without Scottishe, as also for that wee are more inclined and delighted with the noble game of hunting, for we Englishmen are adicted and giuen to that exercise, & painefull pastime of pleasure, as well for the plenty of fleshe which our Parkes and Forrests doe foster, as also for the oportunitie and conuenient leasure which we obtaine, both which, the Scottes want.

Wherfore seeing that the whole estate of kindly hunting consisteth principally,

It is necessary and requisite to vnderstand, that there are two sortes of Dogges by whose meanes, the feates within specifyed are wrought, and these practyses of actiuitie cunningly and curiously compassed,

Both which kyndes are tearmed of the Latines by one common name that is, Canes Venatici , hunting dogges.

But because we Englishe men make a difference betweene hunting and fowleling , for that they are called by these seuerall wordes, Venatio & Aucupium , so they tearme the Dogges whom they vse in these sundry games by diuers names, as those which serue for the beast, are called Venatici , the other which are vsed for the fowle are called Aucupatorij ,

Of the Dogge called a Harier, in Latine Leuerarius .

That kinde of Dogge whom nature hath indued with the vertue of smelling, whose property it is to vse a lustines, a readines, and a couragiousnes in hunting, and draweth into his nostrells the ayre or sent of the beast pursued and followed, we call by this word Sagax , the Græcians by thys word ιχνευτήν of tracing or chasing by y ^e foote, or ῥινηλάτην , of the nostrells, which be the instrumentes of smelling. Wee may knowe these kinde of Dogges by their long, large, and bagging lippes, by their hanging eares, reachyng downe both sydes of their chappes, and by the indifferent and measurable proportion of their making.

This sort of Dogges we call Leuerarios Hariers, that I may comprise the whole nũber of them in certaine specialties, and apply to them their proper and peculier names, for so much as they cannot all be reduced and brought vnder one sorte, considering both the sundrye uses of them, and the difference of their seruice wherto they be appointed.

As for the Conny, whom we haue lastly set downe, wee use not to hunt, but rather to take it, somtime with the nette sometime with a ferret, and thus euery seuerall sort is notable and excellent in his naturall qualitie and appointed practise.

Among these sundry sortes, there be some which are apt to hunt two diuers beasts, as the Foxe otherwhiles, and other whiles the Hare, but they hunt not with such towardnes and good lucke after them, as they doe that whereunto nature hath formed and framed them, not onely in externall composition & making, but also in inward faculties and conditions, for they swarue oftentimes, and doo otherwise then they should.

Of the Dogge called a Terrar, in Latine Terrarius .

Another sorte there is which hunteth the Foxe and the Badger or Greye onely, whom we call Terrars, because they (after the manner and custome of ferrets in searching for Connyes) creepe into the grounde, and by that meanes make afrayde, nyppe, and byte the Foxe and the Badger in such sort, that eyther they teare them in peeces with theyr teeth beyng in the bosome of the earth, or else hayle and pull them perforce out of their lurking angles, darke dongeons, and close caues, or at the least through cõceaued feare, driue them out of their hollow harbours, in so much that they are compelled to prepare speedy flight, and being desirous of the next (albeit not the safest) refuge, are otherwise taken and intrapped with snares and nettes layde ouer holes to the same purpose. But these be the least in that kynde called Sagax .

Of the Dogge called a Bloudhounde in Latine Sanguinarius .

For whether the beast beyng wounded, doth notwithstanding enioye life, and escapeth the handes of the huntesman, or whether the said beast beyng slayne is conuayed clenly out of the parcke (so that there be some signification of bloud shed) these Dogges with no lesse facilitie and easinesse, then auiditie and greedinesse can disclose and bewray the same by smelling, applying to their pursute, agilitie and nimblenesse, without tediousnesse, for which consideration, of a singuler specialtie they deserued to bee called Sanguinarij bloudhounds.

The greater sort which serue to hunt, hauing lippes of a large syze, & eares of no small lenght, doo, not onely chase the beast whiles it liueth, (as the other doo of whom mencion aboue is made) but beyng dead also by any maner of casualtie, make recourse to the place where it lyeth, hauing in this poynt an assured and infallible guyde, namely, the sent and sauour of the bloud sprinckled heere and there vpon the ground.

And albeit peraduenture it may chaunce, (As whether it chaunceth sealdome or sometime I am ignorant) that a peece of fleshe be subtily stolne and cunningly conuayed away with such prouisos and precaueats as thereby all apparaunce of bloud is eyther preuented, excluded, or concealed, yet these kinde of dogges by a certaine direction of an inwarde assured notyce and priuy marcke, pursue the deede dooers, through long lanes, crooked reaches, and weary wayes, without wandring awry out of the limites of the land whereon these desperate purloyners prepared their speedy passage.

Yea, the natures of these Dogges is such, and so effectuall is their foresight, that they cã bewray, seperate, and pycke them out from among an infinite multitude and an innumerable company, creepe they neuer so farre into the thickest thronge, they will finde him out notwithstandying he lye hidden in wylde woods, in close and ouergrowen groues, and lurcke in hollow holes apte to harbour such vngracious guestes. Moreouer, although they should passe ouer the water, thinking thereby to auoyde the pursute of the houndes, yet will not these Dogges giue ouer their attempt, but presuming to swym through the streame, perseuer in their pursute, and when they be arriued and gotten the further bancke, they hunt vp and downe, to and fro runne they, from place to place shift they, vntill they haue attained to that plot of grounde where they passed ouer. And this is their practise, if perdie they cãnot at y ^e first time smelling, finde out the way which the deede dooers tooke to escape.

So at length get they that by arte, cunning, and diligent indeuour, which by fortune and lucke they cannot otherwyse ouercome. In so much as it seemeth worthely and wisely written by Ælianus in his sixte Booke, and xxxix. Chapter. Τὸ ἐνθυμητικον καὶ διαλεκτικὸν . to bee as it were naturally instilled and powred into these kinde of Dogges. For they wyll not pause or breath from their pursute vntill such tyme as they bee apprehended and taken which committed the facte.

The owners of such houndes vse to keepe them in close and darke channells in the day time, and let them lose at liberty in the night season, to th’intent that they myght with more courage and boldnesse practise to follow the fellon in the euening and solitarie houres of darkenesse, when such yll disposed varlots are principally purposed to play theyr impudent pageants, & imprudent pranckes.

These houndes (vpon whom this present portion of our treatise runneth) when they are to follow such fellowes as we haue before rehersed, vse not that liberty to raunge at wil, which they have otherwise when they are in game, (except upon necessary occasion, wheron dependeth an urgent and effectuall perswasion) when such purloyners make speedy way in flight, but beyng restrained and drawne backe from running at randon with the leasse, the ende whereof the owner holding in his hand is led, guyded, and directed with such swiftnesse and slownesse (whether he go on foote, or whether he ryde on horsebacke) as he himselfe in hart would wishe for the more easie apprehension of these venturous varlots.

In the borders of England & Scotland, (the often and accustomed stealing of cattell so procuring) these kinde of Dogges are very much vsed and they are taught and trayned up first of all to hunt cattell as well of the smaller as of the greater grouth, and afterwardes (that qualitie relinquished and lefte) they are learned to pursue such pestilent persons as plant theyr pleasure in such practises of purloyning as we have already declared.

Of this kinde there is none that taketh the water naturally, except it please you so to suppose of them whych follow the Otter, whych sometimes haunte the lande, and sometime vseth the water. And yet neuerthelesse all the kind of them boyling and broyling with greedy desire of the pray which by swymming passeth through ryuer and flood, plung amyds the water, and passe the streame with their pawes. But this propertie proceedeth from an earnest desire wherwith they be inflamed, rather then from any inclination issuyng from the ordinance and appoyntment of nature.

And albeit some of this sort in English be called Brache , in Scottishe Rache , the cause hereof resteth in the shee sex and not in the generall kinde. For we English men call bytches, belonging to the hunting kinde of Dogges, by the tearme aboue mencioned.

To bee short it is proper to the nature of houndes, some to keepe silence in hunting untill such tyme as there is game offered. Othersome so soone as they smell out the place where the beast lurcketh, to bewray it immediatly by their importunate barcking, notwithstanding it be farre of many furlongs cowchyng close in his cabbyn. And these Dogges the younger they be, the more wantonly barcke they, and the more liberally, yet, oftimes without necessitie, so that in them, by reason of theyr young yeares and want of practise, small certaintie is to be reposed. For continuance of tyme, and experience in game, ministreth to these houndes not onely cunning in running, but also (as in the rest) an assured foresight what is to bee done, principally, being acquainted with their masters watchwordes, eyther in reuoking or imboldening them to serue the game.

Of the Dogge called the Gasehounde, in Latine Agaseus .

This kinde of Dogge which pursueth by the eye, preuayleth little, or neuer a whit, by any benefite of the nose that is by smelling, but excelleth in perspicuitie and sharpenesse of sight altogether, by the vertue whereof, being singuler and notable, it hunteth the Foxe and the Hare. Thys Dogge will choose and seperate any beast from among a great flocke or hearde, and such a one will it take by election as is not lancke, leane and hollow, but well spred, smoothe, full, fatte, and round, it followes by the direction of the eyesight, which in deede is cleere, constant, and not uncertaine,

if a beast be wounded and gone astray this Dogge seeketh after it by the stedfastnes of the eye, if it chaunce peraduenture to returne & bee mingled with the residue of the flocke, this Dogge spyeth it out by the vertue of his eye, leauing the rest of the cattell vntouched, and after he hath set sure sight upõ it he seperateth it from among the company and hauing so done neuer ceaseth untill he haue wearyed the Beast to death. Our countrey men call this dogge Agasæum . A gasehounde because the beames of his sight are so stedfastly setled and vnmoueably fastened.

These Dogges are much and vsually occupyed in the Northern partes of England more then in the Southern parts, & in fealdy landes rather then in bushy and wooddy places, horsemen vse them more then footemen to th’intent that they might prouoke their horses to a swift galloppe (wherwith they are more delighted then with the pray it selfe) and that they myght accustome theyr horse to leape ouer hedges & ditches, without stoppe or stumble, without harme or hassard, without doubt or daunger, and so escape with safegard of lyfe.

And to the ende that the ryders themselues when necessitie so constrained, and the feare of further mischiefe inforced, myght saue themselues vndamnifyed, and preuent each perilous tempest by preparing speedy flight, or else by swift pursute made vpon theyr enimyes, myght both ouertake them, encounter with them, and make a slaughter of them accordingly.

But if it fortune so at any time that this Dogge take a wrong way, the master making some vsuall signe and familiar token, he returneth forthwith, and taketh the right and ready trace, beginning his chase a fresh, & with a cleare voyce, and a swift foote followeth the game with as much courage and nimblenesse as he did at the first.

Of the Dogge called the Grehounde, in Latine Leporarius .

There is another kinde of Dogge which for his incredible swiftnesse is called Leporarius a Grehounde, because the principall seruice of them dependeth and consisteth in starting and hunting the hare, which Dogges likewyse are indued with no lesse strength then lightnes in maintenance of the game, in seruing the chase, in taking the Bucke, the Harte, the Dowe, the Foxe, and other beastes of semblable kinde ordained for the game of hunting. But more or lesse, each one according to the measure and proportion of theyr desire, and as might and habilitie of theyr bodyes will permit and suffer.

For it is a spare and bare kinde of Dogge, (of fleshe but not of bone) some are of a greater sorte, and some of a lesser, some are smooth skynned, & some are curled, the bigger therefore are appoynted to hunt the bigger beasts, & the smaller serue to hunt the smaller accordingly.

The nature of these dogges I finde to be wonderful by y ^e testimoniall of histories. For, as Iohn Froisart the Historyographer in his 4. lib. reporteth. A Grehound of King Richard, the second y ^t wore the Crowne, and bare the Scepter of the Realme of England, neuer knowing any man, beside the kings person, whẽ Henry Duke of Lancaster came to the castle of Flinte to take King Richarde . The Dogge forsaking his former Lord & master came to Duke Henry , fawned upon him with such resemblaunces of goodwyll and conceaued affection, as he fauoured King Richarde before: he followed the Duke, and vtterly left the King.

So that by these manifest circumstances a man myght iudge this Dogge to haue bene lightened wyth the lampe of foreknowledge & vnderstãding, touchyng his olde masters miseryes to come, and vnhappinesse nye at hand, which King Richarde himselfe euidently perceaued, accounting this deede of his Dogge a Prophecy of his ouerthrowe.

Of the Dogge called the Leuiner, or Lyemmer in Latine Lorarius .

Another sort of dogges be there, in smelling singuler, and in swiftnesse incomparable. This is (as it were) a myddle kinde betwixt the Harier and the Grehounde, as well for his kinde, as for the frame of his body. And it is called in latine Leuinarius , a Leuitate , of lyghtnesse, and therefore may well be called a lyghthounde, it is also called by this worde Lorarius , a Loro , wherwith it is led. This Dogge for the excellency of his conditions, namely smelling and swift running, doth followe the game with more eagernes, and taketh the pray with a iolly quicknes.

Of the Dogge called a Tumbler, in Latine Vertagus .

This sorte of Dogges, which compasseth all by craftes, fraudes, subtelties and deceiptes, we Englishe men call Tumblers, because in hunting they turne and tumble, winding their bodyes about in circle wise, and then fearcely and violently venturing upõ the beast, doth soddenly gripe it, at the very entrance and mouth of their receptacles, or closets before they can recouer meanes, to saue and succour themselues.

This dogge vseth another craft and subteltie, namely, when he runneth into a warren, or setteth a course about a connyburrough, he huntes not after them, he frayes them not by barcking, he makes no countenance or shadow of hatred against them, but dissembling friendship, and pretending fauour, passeth by with silence and quietnesse, marking and noting their holes diligently, wherin (I warrant you) he will not be ouershot nor deceaued.

When he commeth to the place where Connyes be, of a certaintie, he cowcheth downe close with his belly to the groũd, Prouided alwayes by his skill and polisie, that y ^e winde bee neuer with him but against him in such an enterprise. And that the Connyes spie him not where he lurcketh.

By which meanes he obtaineth the sent and sauour of the Connyes, carryed towardes him with the wind & the ayre, either going to their holes, or cõming out, eyther passing this way, or running that way, and so prouideth by his circumspection, that the selly simple Conny is debarred quite from his hole (which is the hauen of their hope and the harbour of their health) and fraudulently circumuented and taken, before they can get the aduantage of their hole. Thus hauing caught his pray he carryeth it speedily to his Master, wayting his Dogges returne in some conuenient lurcking corner.

These Dogges are somewhat lesser than the houndes, and they be lancker & leaner, beside that they be somwhat prick eared. A man that shall marke the forme and fashion of their bodyes, may well call them mungrell Grehoundes if they were somwhat bigger. But notwithstanding they counteruaile not the Grehound in greatnes, yet will he take in one dayes space as many Connyes as shall arise to as bigge a burthen, and as heauy a loade as a horse can carry, for deceipt and guile is the instrument wherby he maketh this spoyle, which pernicious properties supply the places of more commendable qualities.

Of the Dogge called the theeuishe Dogge in Latine Canis furax .

The like to that whom we have rehearsed, is the theeuishe Dogge, which at the mandate and bydding of his master steereth and leereth abroade in the night, hunting Connyes by the ayre, which is leuened with their sauour and conueyed to the sense of smelling by the meanes of the winde blowing towardes him. During all which space of his hunting he will not barcke, least he shoulde bee preiudiciall to his owne aduantage. And thus watcheth and snatcheth up in course as many Connyes as his Master will suffer him, and beareth them to his Masters standing. The farmers of the countrey and uplandishe dwellers, call this kinde of Dogge a nyght curre, because he hunteth in the darke. But let thus much seeme sufficient for Dogges which serue the game and disport of hunting.

¶ A Diall pertaining to the first Section.

The seconde Section of this discourse .

Of gentle Dogges seruing the hauke, and first of the Spaniell, called in Latine Hispaniolus .

Svch Dogges as serue for fowling, I thinke conuenient and requisite to place in this seconde Section of this treatise. These are also to bee reckoned and accounted in the number of the dogges which come of a gentle kind, and of those which serue for fowling.

Such as delight on the land, play their partes, eyther by swiftnesse of foote, or by often questing, to search out and to spring the byrde for further hope of aduauntage, or else by some secrete signe and priuy token bewray the place where they fall.

The first kinde haue no peculier names assigned vnto them, saue onely that they be denominated after the byrde which by naturall appointment he is alotted to take, for the which consideration.

The common sort of people call them by one generall word, namely Spaniells. As though these kinde of Dogges came originally and first of all out of Spaine, The most part of their skynnes are white, and if they be marcked with any spottes, they are commonly red, and somewhat great therewithall, the heares not growing in such thicknesse but that the mixture of them maye easely bee perceaued. Othersome of them be reddishe and blackishe, but of that sorte there be but a very few.

There is also at this day among vs a newe kinde of dogge brought out of Fraunce (for we Englishe men are maruailous greedy gaping gluttons after nouelties, and couetous coruorauntes of things that be seldom, rare, straunge, and hard to get.) And they bee speckled all ouer with white and black, which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe, which bewtifyeth their skinnes and affordeth a seemely show of comlynesse. These are called French dogges as is aboue declared already.

The Dogge called the Setter, in Latine Index .

Another sort of Dogges be there, seruiceable for fowling, making no noise either with foote or with tounge, whiles they followe the game. These attend diligently vpon theyr Master and frame their conditions to such beckes, motions, and gestures, as it shall please him to exhibite and make, either going forward, drawing backeward, inclining to the right hand, or yealding toward the left, (In making mencion of fowles, my meaning is of the Partridge & the Quaile)

when he hath founde the byrde, he keepeth sure and fast silence, he stayeth his steppes and wil proceede no further, and with a close, couert, watching eye, layeth his belly to the grounde and so creepeth forward like a worme. When he approcheth neere to the place where the birde is, he layes him downe, and with a marcke of his pawes betrayeth the place of the byrdes last abode, whereby it is supposed that this kinde of dogge is called Index , Setter, being in deede a name most consonant and agreable to his quality.

The place being knowne by the meanes of the dogge, the fowler immediatly openeth and spreedeth his net, intending to take them, which being done the dogge at the accustomed becke or vsuall signe of his Master ryseth vp by and by, and draweth neerer to the fowle that by his presence they might be the authors of their owne insnaring, and be ready intangled in the prepared net,

which conning and artificiall indeuour in a dogge (being a creature domesticall or householde seruaunt brought vp at home with offalls of the trencher & fragments of victualls,) is not much to be maruailed at, seing that a Hare (being a wilde and skippishe beast) was seene in England to the astonishment of the beholders, in the yeare of our Lorde God, 1564, not onely dauncing in measure, but playing with his former feete vppon a tabberet, and obseruing iust number of strokes (as a practicioner in that arte) besides that nipping & pinching a dogge with his teeth and clawes, & cruelly thumping him with y ^e force of his feete.

This is no trumpery tale, nor trifling toye (as I imagine) and therefore not vnworthy to bee reported, for I recken it a requitall of my trauaile, not to drowne in the seas of silence any speciall thing, wherin the prouidence and effectuall working of nature is to be pondered.

Of the Dogge called the water Spaniell, or finder, in Latine Aquaticus seu Inquisitor .

That kinde of Dogge whose seruice is required in fowling vpon the water, partly through a naturall towardnesse, and partly by diligent teaching, is indued with that property. This sort is somewhat bigge, and of a measurable greatnesse, hauing long, rough, and curled heare, not obtayned by extraordinary trades, but giuen by natures appointment, yet neuerthelesse (friend Gesner ) I have described and set him out in this maner, namely powlde and netted from the shoulders to the hindermost legges, and to the end of his tayle, which I did for vse and customs cause, that beyng as it were made somewhat bare and naked, by shearing of such superfluitie of heare, they might atchiue the more lightnesse, and swiftnesse, and be lesse hindered in swymming, so troublesome and needelesse a burthen being shaken of.

This kinde of dogge is properly called, Aquaticus , a water spaniel because he frequenteth and hath vsual recourse to the water where all his game & exercise lyeth, namely, waterfowles, which are taken by the helpe & seruice of them, in their kind. And principally duckes and drakes, wherupon he is lykewise named a dogge for the ducke, because in that quallitie he is excellent. With these dogges also we fetche out of the water such fowle as be stounge to death by any venemous worme, we vse them also to bring vs our boultes & arrowes out of the water, (missing our marcke) whereat we directed our leuell, which otherwise we should hardly recouer, and oftentimes they restore to vs our shaftes which we thought neuer to see, touche or handle againe, after they were lost, for which circumstaunces they are called Inquisitores , searchers, and finders.

Although the ducke otherwhiles notably deceaueth both the dogge and the master, by dyuing vnder the water, and also by naturall subtilty, for if any man shall approche to the place where they builde, breede, and syt, the hennes go out of their neastes, offering themselues voluntarily to the hãds, as it were, of such as draw nie their neasts. And a certaine weaknesse of their winges pretended, and infirmitie of their feete dissembled, they go so slowely and so leasurely, that to a mans thinking it were no masteryes to take them.

By which deceiptfull tricke they doe as it were entyse and allure men to follow them, till they be drawne a long distaunce from theyr neastes, which being compassed by their prouident conning, or conning prouidence, they cut of all inconueniences which might growe of their returne, by using many carefull and curious caueates, least theyr often haunting bewray y ^e place where the young ducklings be hatched. Great therfore is theyr desire, & earnest is theyr study to take heede, not only to theyr broode but also to themselues.

For when they haue an ynckling that they are espied they hide themselues vnder turfes or sedges, wherwith they couer and shrowde themselues so closely and so craftely, that (notwithstanding the place where they lurcke be found and perfectly perceaued) there they will harbour without harme, except the water spaniell by quicke smelling discouer theyr deceiptes.

Of the Dogge called the Fisher, in Latine Canis Piscator .

The Dogge called the fisher, wherof Hector Boethus writeth, which seeketh for fishe by smelling among rockes & stones, assuredly I knowe none of that kinde in Englande, neither haue I receaued by reporte that there is any suche, albeit I haue bene diligent & busie in demaunding the question as well of fishermen, as also of huntesmen in that behalfe being carefull and earnest to learne and vnderstand of them if any such were,

except you holde opinion that the beauer or Otter is a fishe (as many haue beleeued) & according to their beliefe affirmed,

and as the birde Pupine , is thought to be a fishe and so accounted. But that kinde of dogge which followeth the fishe to apprehend and take it (if there bee any of that disposition and property) whether they do this for the game of hunting, or for the heate of hunger, as other Dogges do which rather then they wil be famished for want of foode, couet the carckases of carrion and putrifyed fleshe. When I am fully resolued and disburthened of this doubt I wil send you certificate in writing.

In the meane season I am not ignorant of that both Ælianus, and Ælius, call the Beauer κύνα ποτάμιον a water dogge, or a dogge fishe, I know likewise thus much more, that the Beauer doth participate this propertie with the dogge, namely, that when fishes be scarse they leaue the water and raunge vp and downe the lande, making an insatiable slaughter of young lambes vntil theyr paunches be replenished, and whẽ they haue fed themselues full of fleshe, then returne they to the water, from whence they came. But albeit so much be graunted that this Beauer is a dogge, yet it is to be noted that we recken it not in the beadrowe of Englishe dogges as we haue done the rest.

The sea Calfe, in like maner, which our country mẽ for breuitie sake call a Seele, other more largely name a Sea Vele , maketh a spoyle of fishes betweene rockes and banckes, but it is not accounted in the catalogue or nũber of our Englishe dogges, notwithstanding we call it by the name of a Sea dogge or a sea Calfe. And thus much for our dogges of the second sort called in Latine Aucupatorij , seruing to take fowle either by land or water.

¶ A Diall pertaining to the second Section .

The thirde Section of this abridgement .

Nowe followeth in due order and conuenient place our Englishe Dogges of the thirde gentle kinde, what they are called to what vse they serue, and what sort of people plant their pleasure in thẽ, which because they neede no curious canuassing and nye syfting, wee meane to bee so much the briefer.

Of the delicate, neate, and pretty kind of dogges called the Spaniel gentle, or the comforter, in Latine Melitæus or Fotor .

There is, besides those which wee haue already deliuered, another sort of gentle dogges in this our Englishe soyle but exempted from the order of the residue, the Dogges of this kinde doth Callimachus call Melitæos , of the Iseland Melita , in the sea of Sicily , (what at this day is named Malta , an Iseland in deede, famous and renoumed, with couragious and puisaunt souldiours valliauntly fighting vnder the banner of Christ their vnconquerable captaine) where this kind of dogges had their principall beginning.

These dogges are litle, pretty, proper, and fyne, and sought for to satisfie the delicatenesse of daintie dames, and wanton womens wills, instrumentes of folly for them to play and dally withall, to tryfle away the treasure of time, to withdraw their mindes from more commendable exercises, and to content their corrupted concupiscences with vaine disport (A selly shift to shunne yrcksome ydlnesse.) These puppies the smaller they be, the more pleasure they prouoke, as more meete play fellowes for minsing mistrisses to beare in their bosoms, to keepe company withal in their chambers, to succour with sleepe in bed, and nourishe with meate at bourde, to lay in their lappes, and licke their lippes as they ryde in their waggons, and good reason it should be so, for coursnesse with fynenesse hath no fellowship, but featnesse with neatenesse hath neighbourhood enough. That plausible prouerbe verified vpon a Tyraunt, namely that he loued his sowe better then his sonne, may well be applyed to these kinde of people who delight more in dogges that are depriued of all possibility of reason, then they doe in children that be capeable of wisedome and iudgement. But this abuse peraduenture raigneth where there hath bene long lacke of issue, or else where barrennes is the best blossome of bewty.

The vertue which remaineth in the Spainell gentle otherwise called the comforter.

Notwithstanding many make much of those pretty puppies called Spaniels gentle, yet if the question were demaunded what propertie in them they spye, which shoulde make them so acceptable and precious in their sight, I doubt their aunswere would be long a coyning. But seeing it was our intent to trauaile in this treatise, so that y ^e reader might reape some benefite by his reading, we will communicate vnto you such coniectures as are grounded upon reason. And though some suppose that such dogges are fyt for no seruice, I dare say, by their leaues, they be in a wrong boxe. Among all other qualities therfore of nature, which be knowne (for some conditions are couered with continuall and thicke clouds, that the eye of our capacities can not pearse through thẽ) we find that these litle dogs are good to asswage the sicknesse of the stomacke being oftentimes thervnto applyed as a plaster preseruatiue, or borne in the bosom of the diseased and weake person, which effect is performed by theyr moderate heate.

Moreouer the disease and sicknesse chaungeth his place and entreth (though it be not precisely marcked) into the dogge, which to be no vntruth, experience can testify, for these kinde of dogges sometimes fall sicke, and sometime die, without any harme outwardly inforced, which is an argument that the disease of the gentleman, or gentle woman or owner whatsoeuer, entreth into the dogge by the operation of heate intermingled and infected.

And thus haue I hetherto handled dogges of a gentle kinde whom I haue comprehended in a triple diuisiõ. Now it remaineth that I annex in due order such dogges as be of a more homely kinde.

A Diall pertaining to the thirde Section .

The fourth Section of this discourse .

Dogges of a course kind seruing for many necessary vses called in Latine Canes rustici , and first of the shepherds dogge called in Latine Canis Pastoralis .

The first kinde, namely the shepherds hounde is very necessarye and profitable for the auoyding of harmes and inconueniences which may come to men by the meanes of beastes. The second sort serue to succour against the snares and attemptes of mischiefous men.

Our shepherdes dogge is not huge, vaste, and bigge, but of an indifferent stature and growth, because it hath not to deale with the bloudthyrsty wolf, sythence there be none in England, which happy and fortunate benefite is to be ascribed to the puisaunt Prince Edgar , who to thintent y ^t the whole countrey myght be euacuated and quite cleered from wolfes, charged & commaunded the welshemẽ (who were pestered with these butcherly beastes aboue measure) to paye him yearely tribute which was (note the wisedome of the King) three hundred Wolfes.

Some there be which write that Ludwall Prince of Wales paide yeerely to King Edgar three hundred wolfes in the name of an exaction (as we haue sayd before.) And that by the meanes hereof, within the compasse and tearme of foure yeares, none of those noysome, and pestilent Beastes were left in the coastes of England and Wales.

This Edgar wore the Crowne royall, and bare the Scepter imperiall of this kingdome, about the yeere of our Lorde, nyne hundred fifty, nyne. Synce which time we reede that no Wolfe hath bene seene in England, bred within the bounds and borders of this countrey, mary there have bene diuers brought ouer from beyonde the seas, for greedynesse of gaine and to make money, for gasing and gaping, staring, and standing to see them, being a straunge beast, rare, and seldom seene in England.

But to returne to our shepherds dogge. This dogge either at the hearing of his masters voyce, or at the wagging and whisteling in his fist, or at his shrill and horse hissing bringeth the wandring weathers and straying sheepe, into the selfe same place where his masters will and wishe is to haue thẽ, wherby the shepherd reapeth this benefite, namely, that with litle labour and no toyle or mouing of his feete he may rule and guide his flocke, according to his owne desire, either to haue them go forward, or to stand still, or to drawe backward, or to turne this way, or to take that way.

For it is not in Englande, as it is in Fraunce , as it is in Flaunders , as it is in Syria , as it in Tartaria , where the sheepe follow the shepherd, for heere in our country the sheepherd followeth the sheepe. And somtimes the straying sheepe, when no dogge runneth before them, nor goeth about & beside them, gather themselues together in a flocke, when they heere the sheepherd whistle in his fist, for feare of the Dogge (as I imagine) remembring this (if vnreasonable creatures may be reported to haue memory) that the Dogge commonly runneth out at his masters warrant which is his whistle.

This haue we oftentimes diligently marcked in taking our journey from towne to towne, when wee haue hard a sheepherd whistle we haue rayned in our horse and stoode styll a space, to see the proofe and triall of this matter. Furthermore with this dogge doth the sheepherd take sheepe for y ^e slaughter, and to be healed if they be sicke, no hurt or harme in the world done to the simple creature.

Of the mastiue or Bandogge called in Latine Villaticus or Cathenarius .

This kinde of Dogge called a mastyue or Bandogge is vaste, huge, stubborne, ougly, and eager, of a heuy and burthenous body, and therfore but of litle swiftnesse, terrible, and frightfull to beholde, and more fearce and fell then any Arcadian curre (notwithstãding they are sayd to ha n e their generation of the violent Lyon.)

They are called Villatici , because they are appoynted to watche and keepe farme places and coũtry cotages sequestred from commõ recourse, and not abutting vpon other houses by reason of distaunce, when there is any feare conceaued of theefes, robbers, spoylers, and night wanderers. They are seruiceable against the Foxe and the Badger,

to drive wilde and tame swyne out of Medowes, pastures, glebelandes and places planted with fruite, to bayte and take the bull by the eare, when occasion so requireth. One dogge or two at the vttermost, sufficient for that purpose be the bull neuer so monsterous, neuer so fearce, neuer so furious, neuer so stearne, neuer so vntameable.

For it is a kinde of dogge capeable of courage, violent and valiaunt, striking could feare into the harts of men, but standing in feare of no man, in so much that no weapons will make him shrincke, nor abridge his boldnes. Our Englishe men (to th’ intent that theyr dogges might be the more fell and fearce) assist nature with arte, vse, and custome,

for they teach theyr dogges to baite the Beare, to baite the Bull and other such like cruell and bloudy beastes (appointing an ouerseer of the game) without any collar to defend theyr throtes, and oftentimes they traine them vp in fighting and wrestling with a man hauing for the safegarde of his lyfe, eyther a Pikestaffe, a clubbe, or a sworde and by vsing them to such exercises as these, theyr dogges become more sturdy and strong.

The force which is in them surmounteth all beleefe, the fast holde which they take with their teeth exceedeth all credit, three of them against a Beare, fowre against a Lyon are sufficient, both to try masteryes with them and vtterly to ouermatch them.

Which thing Henry the seuenth of that name, King of England (a Prince both politique & warlike) perceauing on a certaine time (as the report runneth) commaunded all such dogges (how many soeuer they were in number) should be hanged, beyng deepely displeased, and conceauing great disdaine, that an yll fauoured rascall curre should with such violent villany, assault the valiaunt Lyon king of all beastes. An example for all subiectes worthy remembraunce, to admonishe them that it is no aduantage to them to rebell against y ^e regiment of their ruler, but to keepe them within the limits of Loyaltie.

I reede an history aunswerable to this of the selfe same Henry , who hauing a notable and an excellent fayre Falcon, it fortuned that the kings Falconers, in the presence and hearing of his grace, highly commended his Maiesties Falcon, saying that it feared not to intermeddle with an Eagle, it was so venturous a byrde and so mighty, which when the King harde, he charged that the Falcon should be killed without delay, for the selfe same reason (as it may seeme) which was rehersed in the cõclusion of the former history concerning the same king. This dogge is called, in like maner, Cathenarius , a Cathena , of the chaine wherwith he is tyed at the gates, in y ^e day time, least beyng lose he should doe much mischiefe and yet might giue occasion of feare and terror by his bigge barcking.

And albeit Cicero C in his oration had Pro. S. Ross. be of this opinion, that such Dogges as barcke in the broade day light shoulde haue their legges broken, yet our countrymen, on this side the seas for their carelessnes of lyfe setting all at cinque and sice, are of a contrary iudgement.

For theefes roge vp & down in euery corner, no place is free from them, no not y ^e princes pallace, nor the country mans cotage. In the day time they practise pilfering, picking, open robbing, and priuy stealing, and what legerdemaine lacke they? not fearing the shamefull and horrible death of hanging.

The cause of which inconuenience doth not onely issue from nipping neede & wringing want, for all y ^t steale, are not pinched with pouerty, but som steale to maintaine their excessiue and prodigall expences in apparell, their lewdnes of lyfe, their hautines of hart, theyr wantonnes of maners, theyr wilfull ydlenes, their ambitious brauery, and the pryde of the sawcy Salacones’ μεγαλορρούντων vaine glorious and arrogant in behauiour, whose delight dependeth wholly to mount nimbly on horsebacke, to make them leape lustely, spring and praunce, galloppe and amble, to runne a race, to wynde in compasse, and so forthe, liuing all together vpon the fatnesse of the spoyle. Othersom therbe which steale, being thereto prouoked by penury & neede, like masterlesse mẽ applying themselues to no honest trade, but raunging vp and downe impudently begging, and complayning of bodily weakenesse where is no want of abilitie.

But valiaunt Valentine th’emperour, by holsome lawes prouided that suche as hauing no corporall sicknesse, solde themselues to begging, pleded pouerty wyth pretended infirmitie, & cloaked their ydle and slouthfull life with colourable shifts and cloudy cossening, should be a perpetuall slaue and drudge to him, by whom their impudent ydlenes was bewrayed, and layde against them in publique place, least the insufferable slouthfullnes of such vagabondes should be burthenous to the people, or being so hatefull and odious, should growe into an example.

Alfredus likewise in the gouernment of his common wealth, procured such increase of credite to Justice and vpright dealing by his prudent actes and statutes, that if a mã trauailing by the hygh way of the countrey vnder his dominion, chaunced to lose a budget full of gold, or his capcase farsed with things of great value, late in the euening, he should finde it where he lost it, safe, sound, and vntouched the next morning, yea (which is a wonder) at any time for a whole monethes space if he sought for it, as Ingulphus Croyladensis in his History recordeth.

But in this our vnhappy age, in these (I say) our deuelishe dayes nothing can scape the clawes of the spoyler, though it be kept neuer so sure within the house, albe it the doores bee lockt and boulted round about. This dogge in like maner of Græcians is called οἰκουρος .

Of the latinists Canis Custos , in Englishe the Dogge keeper.

Borrowing his name of his seruire, for he doth not onely keepe farmers houses, but also merchaunts maisons, wherin great wealth, riches, substaunce, and costly stuffe is reposed. And therfore were certaine dogges founde and maintained at the common costes and charges of the Citizens of Rome in the place called Capitolium , to giue warning of theefes comming.

This kind of dogge, is also called,

In latine Canis Laniarius in Englishe the Butchers Dogge.

So called for the necessity of his vse, for his seruice affoordeth great benefite to the Butcher as well in following as in taking his cattell when neede constraineth, vrgeth, and requireth.

This kinde of dogge is likewise called,

In latine Molossicus or Molossus .

After the name of a countrey in Epirus called Molossia , which harboureth many stoute, stronge, and sturdy Dogges of this sort, for the dogges of that countrey are good in deede, or else their is no trust to be had in the testimonie of writers.

This dogge is also called,

In latine Canis Mandatarius a Dogge messinger or Carrier.

Upon substanciall consideration, because at his masters voyce and commaundement, he carrieth letters from place to place, wrapped vp cunningly in his lether collar, fastened therto, or sowed close therin, who, least he should be hindered in his passage vseth these helpes very skilfully, namely resistaunce in fighting if he be not ouermatched, or else swiftnesse & readinesse in running away, if he be vnable to buckle with the dogge that would faine haue a snatch at his skinne.

This kinde of dogge is likewise called,

In latine Canis Lunarius , in Englishe the Mooner.

Because he doth nothing else but watch and warde at an ynche, wasting the wearisome night season without slombering or sleeping, bawing & wawing at the Moone (that I may vse the word of Nonius ) a qualitie in mine opinion straunge to consider.

This kinde of dogge is also called.

In latine Aquarius in Englishe a water drawer.

And these be of the greater and the waighter sort drawing water out of wells and deepe pittes, by a wheele which they turne rounde about by the mouing of their burthenous bodies.

This kinde of dogge is called in like maner.

Canis Sarcinarius in Latine, and may aptly be englished a Tynckers Curre.

Because with marueilous pacience they beare bigge budgettes fraught with Tinckers tooles, and mettall meete to mend kettels, porrige pottes, skellets, and chafers, and other such like trumpery requisite for their occupacion and loytering trade, easing him of a great burthen which otherwise he himselfe should carry vpon his shoulders, which condition hath challenged vnto them the foresaid name.

Besides the qualities which we haue already recounted, this kind of dogges hath this principall property ingrafted in them, that they loue their masters liberally, and hate straungers despightfully, wherevpon it followeth that they are to their masters, in traueiling a singuler safgard, defending them forceably from the inuasion of villons and theefes, preseruing their lyfes from losse, and their health from hassard, theyr fleshe from hacking and hewing with such like desperate daungers.

For which consideration they are meritoriously tearmed,

In Latine Canes defensores defending dogges in our mother tounge.

If it chaunce that the master bee oppressed, either by a multitude, or by the greater violence & so be beaten downe that he lye groueling on the grounde, (it is proued true by experience) that this Dogge forsaketh not his master, no not when he is starcke deade: But induring the force of famishment and the outragious tempestes of the weather, most vigilantly watcheth and carefully keepeth the deade carkasse many dayes, indeuouring, furthermore, to kil the murtherer of his master, if he may get any aduantage. Or else by barcking, by howling, by furious iarring, snarring, and such like meanes betrayeth the malefactour as desirous to haue the death of his aforesayde Master rigorouslye reuenged.

An example hereof fortuned within the compasse of my memory. The Dogge of a certaine wayefaring man trauailing from the Citie of London directly to the Towne of Kingstone (most famous and renowned by reason of the triumphant coronation of eight seuerall Kings) passing ouer a good portion of his iourney was assaulted and set vpon by certaine confederate theefes laying in waight for the spoyle in Comeparcke , a perillous bottom, compassed about wyth woddes to well knowne for the manyfolde murders & mischeefeous robberies theyr committed. Into whose handes this passinger chaunced to fall, so that his ill lucke cost him the price of his lyfe.

And that Dogge whose syer was Englishe (which Blondus registreth to haue bene within the banckes of his remẽbrance) manifestly perceauyng that his Master was murthered (this chaunced not farre from Paris ) by the handes of one which was a suiter to the same womã, whom he was a wooer vnto, dyd both bewraye the bloudy butcher, and attempted to teare out the villons throate if he had not sought meanes to auoyde the reuenging rage of the Dogge.

In fyers also which fortune in the silence and dead time of the night, or in stormy weather of the sayde season, the older dogges barcke, ball, howle, and yell (yea notwithstandyng they bee roughly rated) neyther will they stay their tounges till the householde seruauntes, awake, ryse, searche, and see the burning of the fyre, which beyng perceaued they vse voluntary silence, and cease from yolping. This hath bene, and is founde true by tryall, in sundry partes of England.

There was no faynting faith in that Dogge, which when his Master by a mischaunce in hunting stumbled and fell toppling downe a deepe dytche beyng vnable to recouer of himselfe, the Dogge signifying his masters mishappe, reskue came, and he was hayled up by a rope, whom the Dogge seeyng almost drawne up to the edge of the dytche, cheerefully saluted, leaping and skipping vpon his master as though he woulde haue imbraced hym, beyng glad of his presence, whose longer absence he was lothe to lacke.

Some Dogges there be, which will not suffer fyery coales to lye skattered about the hearthe, but with their pawes wil rake up the burnyng coales, musying and studying fyrst with themselues how it myght conueniently be done. And if so bee that the coales cast to great a heate then will they buyry them in ashes and so remoue them forwarde to a fyt place wyth theyr noses. Other Dogges bee there which exequute the office of a Farmer in the nyghte tyme.

For when his master goeth to bedde to take his naturall sleepe, And when,

As Virgill vaunteth in his verses, Then if his master byddeth him go abroade, he lingereth not, but raungeth ouer all his lands lying there about, more diligently, I wys, then any farmer himselfe. And if he finde anything their that is straunge and pertaining to other persons besides his master, whether it be man, woman, or beast, he driueth them out of the ground, not medling with any thing which doth belong to the possession and vse of his master.

But how much faythfulnes, so much diuersitie there is in their natures,

The first are not greatly to be feared, because they themselues are fearefull, and fearefull dogges (as the prouerbe importeth) barcke most vehemently.

The second are daungerous, it is wisedome to take heede of them because they sounde, as it were, an Alarum of an afterclappe, and these dogges must not be ouer much moued or prouoked, for then they take on outragiously as if they were madde, watching to set the print of their teeth in the fleshe. And these kinde of dogges are fearce and eager by nature.

The thirde are deadly, for they flye upon a man, without vtteraunce of voyce, snatch at him, and catche him by the throate, and most cruelly byte out colloppes of fleashe. Feare these kind of Curres, (if thou be wise and circumspect about thine owne safetie) for they bee stoute and stubberne dogges, and set vpon a man at a sodden vnwares.

By these signes and tokens, by these notes and argumentes our men discerne the cowardly curre from the couragious dogge the bolde from the fearefull, the butcherly from the gentle and tractable. Moreouer they coniecture that a whelpe of an yll kinde is not worthe the keeping and that no dogge can serue the sundry vses of men so aptly and so conueniently as this sort of whom we haue so largely written already.

For if any be disposed to drawe the aboue named seruices into a table, what mã more clearely, and with more vehemency of voyce giueth warning eyther of a wastefull beast, or of a spoiling theefe then this? who by his barcking (as good as a burning beacon) foreshoweth hassards at hand? What maner of beast stronger? what seruaũt to his master more louing? what companion more trustie? what watchman more vigilant? what reuenger more constant? what messinger more speedie? what water bearer more painefull? Finally what packhorse more patient?

And thus much concerning English Dogges, first of the gentle kinde, secondly of the courser kinde. Nowe it remaineth that we deliuer vnto you the Dogges of a mungrell or a currishe kinde, and then will wee perfourme our taske.

¶ A Diall pertaining to the fourth Section .

The fifth Section of this treatise .

Containing Curres of the mungrell and rascall sort and first of the Dogge called in Latine, Admonitor , and of vs in Englishe VVappe or VVarner.

Of such dogges as keepe not their kinde, of such as are mingled out of sundry sortes not imitating the conditions of some one certaine spice, because they resẽble no notable shape, nor exercise any worthy property of the true perfect and gentle kind, it is not necessarye that I write any more of them, but to banishe them as vnprofitable implements, out of the boundes of my Booke, vnprofitable I say for any vse that is commendable, except to intertaine straũgers with their barcking in the day time, giuyng warnyng to them of the house, that such & such be newly come,

wherevpon we call them admonishing Dogges, because in that point they performe theyr office.

Of the Dogge called Turnespete in Latine Veruuersator .

There is comprehended, vnder the curres of the coursest kinde, a certaine dogge in kytchen seruice excellent. For whẽ any meate is to bee roasted they go into a wheele which they turning rounde about with the waight of their bodies, so diligently looke to their businesse, that no drudge nor skullion can doe the feate more cunningly.

Whom the popular sort herevpon call Turnespets, being the last of all those which wee haue first mencioned.

Of the Dogge called the Daunser, in Latine Saltator or Tympanista .

There be also dogges among vs of a mungrell kind which are taught and exercised to daunce in measure at the musicall sounde of an instrument, as, at the iust stroke of the drombe, at the sweete accent of the Cyterne, & tuned strings of the harmonious Harpe showing many pretty trickes by the gesture of their bodies. As to stand bolte upright, to lye flat vpon the grounde, to turne rounde as a ringe holding their tailes in their teeth, to begge for theyr meate, and sundry such properties, which they learne of theyr vagabundicall masters, whose instrumentes they are to gather gaine, withall in Citie, Country, Towne, and Village. As some which carry olde apes on their shoulders in coloured iackets to moue men to laughter for a litle lucre.

Of other Dogges, a short conclusion, wonderfully ingendred B within the coastes of this country.

Of the first we haue none naturally bred within the borders of England. The reason is for the want of wolfes, without whom no such kinde of Dogge can bee ingendred. Againe it is deliuered vnto thee in this discourse, how and by what meanes, by whose benefite, and within what circuite of tyme, this country was cleerely discharged of rauenyng wolfes, and none at all left, no, not to the least number, or the beginnyng of a number, which is an Vnari .

Of the second sort we are not vtterly voyde of some, because this our Englishe soyle is not free from foxes (for in deede we are not without a multitude of them in so much as diuerse keepe, foster, and feede them in their houses among their houndes and dogges, eyther for some maladie of mind, or for some sicknesse of body,) which peraduenture the savour of that subtill beast would eyther mitigate or expell.

The thirde kinde which is bred of a Beare and a Bandogge we want not heare in England, (A straunge & wonderfull effect, that cruell enimyes should enter into y ^e worke of copulation & bring forth so sauage a curre.) Undoubtedly it is euen so as we haue reported, for the fyery heate of theyr fleshe, or rather the pricking thorne, or most of all, the tyckling lust of lechery, beareth such swinge and sway in them, that there is no contrairietie for the time, but of constraint they must ioyne to ingender. And why should not this bee consonant to truth? why shoulde not these beastes breede in this lande, as well as in other forreigne nations?

For wee reede that Tigers and dogges in Hircania , that Lyons and Dogges in Arcadia , and that wolfes and dogges in Francia , couple and procreate. In men and women also lyghtened with the lantarne of reason (but vtterly voide of vertue) that foolishe, frantique, and fleshely action, (yet naturally sealed in vs) worketh so effectuously, y ^t many tymes it doth reconcile enimyes, set foes at freendship, vnanimitie, & atonement, as Moria mencioneth.

The Vrcane which is bred of a beare and a dogge,

That I may vse the wordes of the Poet Gratius , This dogge exceedeth all other in cruell conditions, his leering and fleering lookes, his stearne and sauage vissage, maketh him in sight feareful and terrible, he is violent in fighting, & wheresoeuer he setteth his tenterhooke teeth, he taketh such sure & fast hold that a man may sooner teare and rende him in sunder, then lose him and seperate his chappes. He passeth not for the Wolfe, the Beare, the Lyon, nor the Bull, and may wortherly (as I thinke) be companiõ with Alexanders dogge which came out of India . But of these, thus much, and thus farre may seeme sufficient.

A starte to outlandishe Dogges in this conclusion, not impertinent to the Authors purpose.

Vse and custome hath intertained other dogges of an outlandishe kinde, but a fewe and the same beyng of a pretty bygnesse, I meane Iseland, dogges curled & rough al ouer, which by reason of the lenght of their heare make showe neither of face nor of body.

And yet these curres, forsoothe, because they are so straunge are greatly set by, esteemed, taken vp, and made of many times in the roome of the Spaniell gentle or comforter. The natures of men is so moued, nay rather marryed to nouelties without all reason, wyt, iudgement or perseueraunce. Ἐρῶμεν ἀλλοτριῶν, παρορῶμεν συγγενεῖς .

Which fault remaineth not in vs concerning dogges only, but for artificers also. And why? it is to manyfest that wee disdayne and contempne our owne workmen, be they neuer so skilfull, be they neuer so cunning, be they neuer so excellent. A beggerly beast brought out of barbarous borders, frõ the vttermost countryes Northward, &c., we stare at, we gase at, we muse, we maruaile at, like an asse of Cumanum , like Thales with the brasen shancks, like the man in the Moone.

The which default Hippocrates marcked when he was alyue, as euidently appeareth in the beginnyng of his booke περὶ ἀγμῶν , so intituled and named:

And we in our worcke entituled De Ephemera Britannica , to the people of England haue more plentifully expressed.

In this kinde looke which is most blockishe , and yet most waspishe, the same is most esteemed, and not amonge Citizens onely and iolly gentlemen, but among lustie Lordes also, and noble men, and daintie courtier ruffling in their ryotous ragges. Further I am not to wade in the foorde of this discourse, because it was my purpose to satisfie your expectation with a short treatise (most learned Conrade ) not wearysome for me to wryte, nor tedious for you to peruse.

Among other things which you haue receaued at my handes heretofore, I remember that I wrote a seuerall description of the Getulian Dogge, because there are but a fewe of them and therefore very seldome scene. As touching Dogges of other kyndes you your selfe haue taken earnest paine, in writing of them both lyuely, learnedly and largely. But because wee haue drawne this libell more at length then the former which I sent you (and yet briefer than the nature of the thing myght well beare) regardyng your more earnest and necessary studdies. I will conclude makyng a rehearsall notwithstanding (for memoryes sake) of certaine specialties contayned in the whole body of this my breuiary.

And because you participate principall pleasure in the knowledge of the common and vsuall names of Dogges (as I gather by the course of your letters) I suppose it not amysse to deliuer vnto you a shorte table contayning as well the Latine as the Englishe names, and to render a reason of euery particular appellation, to th’intent that no scruple may remaine in this point, but that euery thing may bee sifted to the bare bottome.

A Diall pertaining to the fifte Section .

A Supplement or Addition, containing a demonstration of Dogges names how they had their Originall.

The names contayned in the generall table, for so much as they signifie nothing to you being a straunger, and ignoraunt of the Englishe tounge, except they be interpreted: As we haue giuen a reason before of y ^e latine words so meane we to doe no lesse of the Englishe that euery thing maye be manyfest vnto your vnderstanding. Wherein I intende to obserue the same order which I haue followed before.

The names of such Dogges as be contained in the first section.

Sagax , in Englishe Hunde, is deriued of our English word hunte. One letter chaunged in another, namely, T, into D, as Hunt, Hunde, whom (if you coniecture to be so named of your country worde Hunde which signifieth the generall name Dogge, because of the similitude and likenesse of the wordes I will not stand in contradiction (friende Gesner ) for so much as we retaine among vs at this day many Dutche wordes which the Saxons left at such time as they occupyed this country of Britane. Thus much also vnderstand, that as in your language Hunde is the common word, so in our naturall tounge dogge is the vniuersall, but Hunde is perticuler and a speciall, for it signifieth such a dogge onely as serueth to hunt, and therfore it is called a hunde.

Of the Gasehounde.

The Gasehounde called in latine Agasæus , hath his name of the sharpenesse and stedfastnesse of his eyesight. By which vertue he compasseth that which otherwise he cannot by smelling attaine. As we haue made former relation, for to gase is earnestly to viewe and beholde, from whence floweth the deriuation of this dogges name.

Of the Grehounde.

The Grehounde called Leporarius , hath his name of this word, Gre, which word soundeth, Gradus in latine, in Englishe degree. Because among all dogges these are the most principall, occupying the chiefest place, and being simply and absolutely the best of the gentle kinde of houndes.

Of the Leuyner or the Lyemmer.

This dogge is called a Leuyner, for his lyghtnesse, which in latine soundeth Leuitas , Or a Lyemmer which worde is borrowed of Lyemme, which the latinists name Lorum : and wherefore we call him a Leuyner of this worde Leuitas ? (as we doe many things besides) why we deriue and drawe a thousand of our tearmes, out of the Greeke , the Latine , the Italian , the Dutch , the French , and the Spanishe tounge? (Out of which fountaines in deede, they had their originall issue.)

How many words are buryed in the graue of forgetfulnes? growne out of vse? wrested awrye? and peruersly corrupted by diuers defaultes? we wil declare at large in our booke intituled, Symphonia vocum Britannicarum .

Of the Tumbler.

Among houndes the Tumbler called in latine Vertagus , is the last, which commeth of this worde Tumbler flowyng first of al out of the French fountaine. For as we say Tumble so they, Tumbier , reseruing one sense and signification, which the latinists comprehende vnder this worde Vertere , So that we see thus much, that Tumbler commeth of Tumbier , the vowell, I, chaunged into the Liquid , L, after y ^e maner of our speache. Contrary to the French and the Italian tounge. In which two languages, A Liquid before a Vowell for the most part is turned into another Vowell , As, may be perceaued in the example of these two wordes, Implere & plano , for Impiere & piano , L, before, E, chaunged into, I, and L, before A, turned into I, also. This I thought conuenient for a taste.

The names of such Dogges as be contained in the second Section.

After such as serue for hunting orderly doe follow such as serue for hawking and fowling, Among which the principall and chiefest is the Spaniell, called in Latine Hispaniolus , borrowing his name of Hispania Spaine, wherein wee Englishe men not pronouncing the Aspiration H, Nor the Vowell I, for quicknesse and redinesse of speach say roundly A Spaniell.

Of the Setter.

The second sort of this second diuision and second section, is called a Setter, in latine Index , Of the worde Set which signifieth in Englishe that which the Latinistes meane by this word Locum designare , y ^e reason is rehersed before more largely, it shall not neede to make a new repetition.

Of the water Spaniell or Finder.

The water Spaniell consequently followeth, called in Latine Aquaticus, in English a waterspaniell, which name is compounde of two simple wordes, namely Water, which in Latine soũdeth Aqua , wherein he swymmeth. And Spaine , Hispania , the country frõ whence they came,

Not that England wanted such kinde of Dogges, (for they are naturally bred and ingendred in this country.) But because they beare the generall and common name of these Dogges synce the time they were first brought ouer out of Spaine. And wee make a certaine difference in this sort of Dogges, eyther for some thing which in theyr voyce is to be marked, or for some thing which in their qualities is to be considered, as for an example in this kinde called the Spaniell by the apposition and putting to of this word water, which two coupled together sounde waterspaniell.

He is also called a fynder, in Latine Inquisitor , because that by serious and secure seeking, he findeth such things as be lost, which word Finde in English is that which the Latines meane by this Verbe Inuenire . This dogge hath this name of his property because the principall point of his seruice consisteth in the premisses.

The names of such Dogges as be contained in the thirde Section.

Now leauing the suruie we of hunting and hauking dogs, it remaineth that we runne ouer the residue, whereof some be called, fine dogs, some course, other some mungrels or rascalls.

The first is the Spaniell gentle called Canis Melitæus , because it is a kinde of dogge accepted among gentles, Nobles, Lordes, Ladies, &c. who make much of them vouchsafeing to admit them so farre into their company that they will not onely lull them in theyr lappes, but kysse them with their lippes, and make them theyr prettie playfellowes. Such a one was Gorgons litle puppie mencioned by Theocritus in Siracusis , who taking his iourney, straightly charged & commaunded his mayde to see to his Dogge as charely and warely as to his childe: To call him in alwayes that he wandred not abroade, as well as to rock the babe a sleepe, crying in the cradle.

This puppitly and peasantly curre, (which some frumpingly tearme fysteing hounds) serue in a maner to no good vse except, (As we haue made former relation) to succour and strengthen quailing and quammning stomackes to bewray bawdery, and filthy abhominable leudnesse (which a litle dogge of this kinde did in Sicilia ) As Ælianus in his .7. booke of beastes and .27. chapter recordeth.

The names of such dogges as be contained in the fourth Section.

Of dogges vnder the courser kinde, wee will deale first with the shepherds dogge, whom we call the Bandogge, the Tydogge, or the Mastyue, the first name is imputed to him for seruice Quoniam pastori famulatur , because he is at the shepherds his masters commaundement. The seconde a Ligamento of the band or chaine wherewith he is tyed, The thirde a Sagina , Of the fatnesse of his body.

For this kinde of dogge which is vsually tyed, is myghty, grosse, and fat fed. I know this that Augustinus Niphus , calleth this Mastinus (which we call Mastiuus.) And that Albertus writeth how the Lyciscus is ingendred by a beare and a wolfe. Notwithstanding the self same Author taketh it for the most part pro Molosso . A dogge of such a countrey.

The names of such dogges as be contained in the fifte Section.

Of mungrels and rascalls somwhat is to be spoken. And among these, of y ^e VVappe or Turnespet , which name is made of two simple words, that is, of Turne , which in latine soundeth Vertere , and of spete which is Veru , or spede , for the Englishe word inclineth closer to the Italian imitation: Veruuersator , Turnspet.

He is called also VVaupe, of the naturall noise of his voyce VV au, which he maketh in barcking. But for the better and the redyer sounde, the vowell, u, is chaunged into the cõsonant, p, so y ^t for waupe we say wappe. And yet I wot well that Nonius boroweth his Baubari of the natural voyce Bau , as the Græcians doe their βάυζειν of wau .

Now when you vnderstand this that Saltare in latine signifieth Dansare in Englishe. And that our dogge therevpon is called a daunser and in the latine Saltator , you are so farre taught as you were desirous to learne, And now suppose I, there remaineth nothing, but that your request is fully accomplished.

The winding vp of this worke, called the Supplement, &c.

Thus (Friend Gesner ) you haue, not only the kindes of our countrey dogges, but their names also, as well in latine as in Englishe, their offices, seruices, diuersities, natures, & properties, that you can demaunde no more of me in this matter.

And albeit I haue not satisfied your minde peraduẽture (who suspectest al speede in the performaunce of your requeste employed, to be meere delayes) because I stayde the setting fourth of that vnperfect pamphlet which, fiue yeares ago, I sent to you as a priuate friende for your owne reeding, and not to be printed, and so made common, yet I hope (hauing like the beare lickt ouer my younge) I haue waded in this worke to your contentation, which delay hath made somewhat better and δευτέραι φροντίδες , after witte more meete to be perused.

The ende of this treatise.

FINIS.