Of Englishe Dogges (1576)
by John Caius, translated by Abraham Fleming
Supplement
John Caius2024662Of Englishe Dogges — Supplement1576Abraham Fleming

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 ye latine words so mean we to doe no lesse of the Englishe, that enery thing maye be manyfest unto 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 yon coniectnre 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 (friend Gesner) for so muche as we retaine among va to 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 perticular and a speciall, for it signifieth such a dogge onely as serueth to hunt, and therefore it is called a hunde.

Of the Gasehound.

The Gasehounde called in latine Agasœus, hath his name of the sharpnesse 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 Leuyuer or the Lyemmer.

This dogge is called a Leuyner, for his lightnesse, 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 indeede, they had their originall issue.) How many words are buryed in the grave of forgetfullnes? growne out of vse? wrested awrye and peniersly corrupted by diuers defaultes? we wil declare at large in our booke intituled, Simphonia vocum Britannicarum.

Of the Tumbler.

Among houndes the Tumbler called in latine Vertagus, is the last, which commeth of this worde Tumbler flowing 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 vowel, I, chaunged into the Liquid L, after ye 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 sorte of this second division 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, ye 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 water spaniell, which name is compounde of two simple wordes, namely Water, which in Latine soudeth Aqua, wherein he swymmeth. And Spaine Hispania, the country frō 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 something 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 water-spaniell. 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 Englishe 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 leaning the seruie 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 Meliteus, because it is a kinde of dogge accepted among gentles, Nobles, Lordes, Ladies, &c., who make much of them vouchsafeiug to admit them so farre into their company, that they will not onely lull them in their lappes, but kysse them with their lippes, and make them theyr prettie playfellowes. Such a one was Gorgons litle puppie mencioned by Theocritus 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 frampingly tearme fysteing hounds) serne in a maner to no good vse except, (As we hane made former relation) to succour and strengthen quailing and quammning stomackes to bewray bawdery, and filthy abbominable leudnesse (whiche a litle dogge of this kinde did in Sicilia) as Ælianus in his, 7, book of beastes, and 27, chapter recordeth.

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

OF dogges vnder the courser kinde, we 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 service 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 wrtteth 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 ye 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 VVappe, of the naturall noise of his voyce VVau, which he maketh in barcking. But for the better and the redyer sounde, the vowell, u, is channged into the cōsonant, p, so y 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 βοὐζειν 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 rematneth 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 peradueture (who suspecteth al speede in the performaunce of your requeste employed, to be meere delayes) because I stayde the setting fourth of that vmperfect pamphlet which, fiue yeares ago, I sent to you as a priuate friende for your own 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 φροντιδες, after witte more meete to be perused.

The ende of this treatise.

FINIS.