or BAND DOG, (canis villaticus, or catenarius), is a species of great size and strength, and a very loud barker. Manwood says, that it derives its name from male thefese, being supposed to frighten away robbers by its tremendous voice. Great Britain was formerly so noted for its mastiffs, that the Roman emperors appointed an officer in this island, with the title of Procurator Cynegeti, whose sole business was to breed, and transmit from hence to the amphitheatre, such as would prove equal to the combats of the place. Strabo, lib. iv. tells us, that the mastiffs of Britain were trained for war, and used by the Gauls in their battles. See CANIS, MAMMALIA Index.