92 NATURAL HISTORY ESSAYS 



their own territory. Those inclined to consider the 

 Falkland wolf as a degenerated coyote might find 

 support from the case of the Virginian "fox," southern 

 examples of which are notably smaller than their 

 northern brethren. It is, however, a far cry from 

 Costa Rica to the Falklands, and the Spaniards, a 

 careless race whose motto is ever niandna (to-mor- 

 row), would be little likely to trouble themselves to 

 transport any save useful animals for long distances. 

 Again, one requires a long series of osteological 

 specimens — skulls and teeth — on which to base 

 an opinion as to the validity, or otherwise, of a 

 species. It is this very dearth of material which yet 

 hinders the study of the lesser Canidce ; for varia- 

 tion amongst individuals of the same species shows 

 itself in internal structure as well as externally in the 

 colours of the fur. Briefly, the Antarctic wolf in its 

 appearance and habits, in its history and affinities, 

 was a most interestino- beast ; and in vanishinor for ever 

 it has fulfilled the sagacious prediction of Darwin : — 

 " Before the paper is decayed on which this animal 

 has been figured, it will be ranked amongst those 

 species which have perished from the face of the 

 earth." 



