262 THE WOLF. 



with the bear entered into battle with him. The fight terminated in favor of the bear ; but not 

 without much exertion and great danger to both parties, as was proved by the quantity of bear 

 and Wolf fur that lay scattered about the scene of combat. So severely had the bear been 

 treated that his fur was found to be quite useless when he was killed by the hunters a few 

 days after the conflict. 



This is not a solitary example of a fight between bears and Wolves, as the same author 

 mentions a similar combat, which would apparently have had a different result. The bear had 

 retreated to a large tree ; and, standing with his back against the trunk, boldly faced his 

 antagonists, and for some time kept them at bay. At last, however, some of the Wolves crept 

 round the tree, and seizing him unexpectedly in the flank, inflicted such severe wounds that 

 he would soon have fallen a victim to their ferocity had not they been put to flight by the 

 approach of some men. 



It is by no means nice in its palate, and will eat almost any living animal, from human 

 beings down to frogs, lizards, and insects. Moreover, it is a sad cannibal, and is thought by 

 several travellers who have noted its habits to be especially partial to the flesh of its own kind. 

 A weak, sickly, or wounded Wolf is sure to fall under the cruel teeth of its companions ; who 

 are said to be so fearfully ravenous that if one of their companions should chance to besmear 

 himself with the blood of the prey which has just been hunted down, he is instantly attacked 

 and devoured by the remainder of the pack. 



In their hunting expeditions the Wolves usually unite in bands, larger or smaller in 

 number, according to circumstances, and acting simultaneouly for a settled purpose. If they 

 are on the trail of a flying animal, the footsteps of their prey are followed up by one or two of 

 the Wolves, while the remainder of the band take up their position to the right and left of the 

 leaders, so as to intercept the quarry if it should attempt to turn from its course. Woe be to 

 any animal that is unlucky enough to be chased by a pack of Wolves. No matter how swift 

 it may be, it will most surely be overtaken at last by the long, slouching, tireless gallop of the 

 Wolves ; and no matter what may be its strength, it must at last fail under the repeated and 

 constant attacks of the sharp teeth. 



There is something remarkable about the bite of a Wolf. Instead of making its teeth 

 meet in the flesh of its antagonist, and then maintaining its hold, as is done by most of the 

 carnivora, the Wolf snaps sharply, fiercely, and repeatedly at its opponent or its quarry ; 

 delivering these attacks with such furious energy that when it misses its mark its jaws clash 

 together with a sound that has been likened to the sudden closing of a steel-trap. These 

 sharply snapping bites, so rapidly delivered, are of terrible efficacy in destroying an enemy, or 

 bringing down the prey. 



Putting aside the differences that exist between the feline and the canine dentition, the 

 general character of the whole form is worthy of notice, and points out the creature as belong- 

 ing to the group of carnivorous animals which obtains its prey by running it down in a lengthy 

 chase, rather than to those predaceous animals which destroy their prey by a single powerful 

 spring. The limbs are larger in proportion than those of the lion, and the bones are more 

 slenderly made. The head and neck are very differently formed. Those of the lion are intended 

 to serve the purpose of an animal which leaps upon its prey, fixes its teeth in the flesh of 

 its quarry, and there hangs until it has destroyed its prey ; but the corresponding portions of 

 the Wolfs anatomy belong evidently to an animal which is not intended by nature to exert the 

 clinging hold of the cat tribe, but to overtake its prey by fair chase, to run, and to bite. 



The sharp teeth with which the Wolf is furnished are strong enough to cut their way 

 through substances which might be thought impervious to teeth. A hungry Wolf will devour 

 a raw hide with enviable ease, and, when hard pressed by its unsatisfied appetite, has often 

 been known to make a meal on thick leather traces that had been left unguarded for a few 

 minutes. 



Bold as is the Wolf in ordinary circumstances, it is one of the most suspicious animals in 

 existence, and is infected with the most abject terror at the sight of any object to which its 

 eyes, nose, or ears are unaccustomed. 



Very fortunately for the hunters, this excess of caution on the part of the Wolf is the 



