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BLACK WOLF.—Canis occidentalis 
When the Wolf is once within a trap it becomes the most cowardly of animals, and 
will permit itself to be handled or wounded without displaying the least sign of animation, 
or attempting to resist the hand of its destroyer. The sensation of imprisonment appears 
to deprive it of all energy, and it sometimes happens that a trapped Wolf is so entirely 
destitute of self-control, that it has permitted the hunter to drag it from the trap, and to 
make it lie passively by his side while he reset the trap for the occupancy of another 
victim. On one oceasion, a pitfall-trap contained two occupants, one a Wolf, and the 
other a poor old woman, who had unfortunately fallen into the pit when returning from 
her work. The Wolf was so cowed by finding itself entrapped, that it made no attempt to 
injure its fellow prisoner, but lay quietly at the bottom of the pit, and was shot in the 
morning by a peasant. 
The BLack Wo F of America was thought by some naturalists to be only a variety of 
the common Wolf, but it is now considered to be a distinct species. Not only does the 
colour of its fur vary from that of the common Wolf, but there are various differences of 
structure, in the position of the eye, the peculiar bushiness of the hair, and other 
peculiarities, which have entitled it to rank as a separate species. 
The American Wolves partake of the general lupine character, being fierce, dangerous, 
and cowardly, like their European brethren. They are marvellously pusillanimous when 
they find themselves fairly inclosed ; and even if their prison-house be a large yard they 
crouch timidly in the corners, and do not venture to attack a human being if he enters the 
same inclosure. Audubon mentions a curious instance of this strange timidity in so 
fierce an animal, and of which he was an eye-witness. 
