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 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.