AMERICAN WOLF. 71 



several Wolves made their appearance in the neighbour- 

 hood of the winter-quarters of the Alert. They were 

 evidently following a small herd of Musk-oxen, whose 

 tracks and traces were observed in the vicinity ; and 

 that they were able at times to secure these animals 

 was shown by their dung being composed chiefly of 

 Musk-ox wool and splinters of bone. Several of our 

 sportsmen started in pursuit of these Wolves, but, with 

 one exception, they did not allow them to approach 

 them within three or four hundred yards. The follow- 

 ing day (April 2) the Wolves still continued in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the ship, and at intervals their long, 

 melancholy, but not unmusical wail reverberated from 

 the hills."— ("Voyage to Polar Sea," p. 192.) 



Some 460 to 620 skins are imported annually (1891, 

 263 skins only) by the Hudson's Bay Company ; and 

 about 300 to 500 from other parts of North America. 

 Grey fetch 4s. 6d. to 23s. 9d. ; white, 7s. 6d. to 90s. ; 

 blue, 50s. to 126s. per skin. 



These skins are especially adapted for handsome 

 sleigh-robes or wrappers. They are especially in vogue 

 in London, New York, Paris, Montreal, etc. 



Dyed black or brown, they are made into excellent 

 boas, to which they are well adapted, owing to the 

 lightness of the pelt. 



The skull and dentition approaches closely to that of 

 the dog. 



The female has eight teats. 



The Wolf, in former times, surrounded the Moose and 

 drove it over precipices, and then descended to devour 

 the carcase. It, however, feared to attack the Buffalo, 

 unless they were infirm, aged, or sickly animals. 



In Alaska the Wolf preys on the Eeindeer. 



