'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎587] (678/905)

CHAP. XXII.]
DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
587
Goats are very numerous throughout the country, and sheep Goats and
still more so; the latter are of the large-tailed breed, and they 8lie6p "
yield good wool; the average weight of each is about 40 lbs.;
the mutton is excellent, and generally at the low price of one
penny per pound.
Like our own cottages, the Arab hut, or house, is seldom The cat.
without a cat, occasionally of the large Persian breed, 1 but
generally the common domestic animal like that of England.
Mixed breeds are also to be found in the country. The dog is The dog.
still more general; for, contrary to the received opinion, he is
met with everywhere in the East, both in towns and in the
country, except at Medina; this faithful animal is almost as
much cherished by the Syrians and Arabians as by Europeans,
whether a wretched mongrel, or belonging to one of the pure
breeds. Of the latter kind, is the fierce companion of the
wandering Turkoman, with its long ears and winter coating
of long soft hair. The shepherd-dog is not inferior to our
own in any respects. There is also the town or bazar dog. Bazar dog.
besides crosses of the dog and wolf and the dog and fox. Dogs
of a particular kind are seen in great numbers about, and gene
rally forming the only sentinels of every Bedawin encamp
ment ; but the most striking animal of this class is the Mace
donian greyhound, which, with the usual addition of a hawk
perched near the entrance of the tent, forms part of the suite
of a sheikh, or other chief, throughout most parts of the East.
This animal is about the height of a full-sized English grey
hound, but rather stouter; he is deep-chested, has long smooth
hair of a blood-red colour, and a tail nearly as much feathered
as that of an Irish setter. 2 His speed does not quite equal
that of our highest bred dogs, but he keeps it up so much
longer that he is tolerably certain of running down the
fleetest gazelle.
Ostriches are found in the great Syrian desert, especially in Ostriches,
the plain extending from the Haouran towards Jebel Shammar
and Nedjd. Some of them are found in the Haouran itself, and
a few are taken almost every year, even within two days' journey
of Damascus; this is accomplished in the following manner:
1 Katta aiemi. 8 Pl ate XXIII.
J 4 F 2