THE ANTARCTIC WOLF 8 1 



this day : the sand dunes being selected because 

 they afforded the only dry site in that dismal ex- 

 panse of moorland and sodden, saturated peat bog. 

 The burrows intercommunicated, so that the wolves 

 were more sociable than was formerly supposed. It is, 

 however, incorrect to instance these animals (as has 

 recently been done) as unique among the canine race 

 in their under-ground colonies : for the African wild 

 dogs also live socially in the subterranean fastnesses 

 of the ant bear. Thus far the habits of the Antarctic 

 wolf: here follows the history of its decline and 

 eventual extermination. 



In March, 1764, Bougainville endeavoured to 

 colonise the Falklands for France. Three years 

 later they were ceded to Spain, who presently tired 

 of them in her turn ; Great Britain meanwhile exert- 

 ing a more or less nominal authority over them. 

 For ten years at least (1810-20) the Falklands 

 "minded themselves." In 1817-20, the French 

 corvettes "L'Uranie" and " La Physicienne," under 

 M. Freycinet, were lost on the Falklands. Owing 

 to lack of provisions the starving crew were com- 

 pelled to attack the rookeries of penguins, so that 

 MM. Quoy and Gaimard, the ship surgeons, had 

 but too much opportunity of noting the presence of 

 the bird-hunting wolves. Freycinet, jealous of the 

 honours bestowed on naturalists of former expedi- 

 tions, had refused to take any with him ; therefore 

 so much the greater credit is due to the doctors for 



