general Zoological changes. 125 



the 27th of August, 1837, and extended over the Countess' 

 property, in spite of the remonstrances of her game-keepers. 

 She lodged an accusation against several of the gentlemen 

 who had been at the chase, but was condemned in the costs 

 of the suit, conformably to Art. v. of Pluviose 19th, An v. by 

 which the administrative authorities are authorized to direct 

 chases to be held, without consulting, or obtaining the con- 

 sent of the proprietors, wherever wolves or deer endanger the 

 personal security or property of the inhabitants. 



In almost every department of France infested by the wolf, 

 there is a society, called ' Societe de louveterie,' the object of 

 which is to keep that animal down ; and premiums, varying 

 in amount according to the sex and age of the animals killed, 

 are likewise paid. The necessity for extirpating the wolf is 

 therefore acknowledged in that country ; but the facts shew 

 that it has not yet been sufficiently appreciated, because the 

 means hitherto employed, have been altogether inadequate 

 to effect the purpose. 



If, however, we wish to see just retaliation upon the wolves, 

 from human law, we must observe what is going on in Prus- 

 sia, a country, whose internal administration is distinguished, 

 in so many respects, by the truly enlightened spirit in which 

 it is conducted. 



After the peace of Tilsit, by which the present province of 

 Posen was severed from that kingdom, and incorporated with 

 the duchy of Warsaw, the new government lowered the pre- 

 miums which the Prussian government, previously to that 

 peace, had paid to those who killed wolves, to 1 dollar for an 

 adult animal, and half a dollar for a cub. This, as well as 

 the great difficulty of obtaining the reward, though deserved, 

 held out so little encouragement for their destruction, that 

 the wolves increased at such a rapid rate, within the few 

 years from 1807 to 1815, that in 1814, three grown persons 

 and sixteen children were devoured by them, in the circle of 

 Wongrowiec alone. As soon, however, as Prussia had again 

 taken possession of Posen, in 1815, no time was lost by the 

 government in getting rid of so great a public nuisance. — 

 The rewards which had been paid previously to 1807, when 

 Posen formed part of the province of South Prussia, were a- 

 gain awarded ; viz. 6 dollars for an adult wolf, 3 dollars for 

 a cub, and 1 dollar for each embryo found in a female. Ge- 

 neral battues were periodically made, and different regulations 

 issued, with a view of poisoning the wolves with nux vomica.* 



*It has been found that the most successful method of poisoning wolves, 

 is to drug small sausages with nux vomica, and hang them on the boughs 



