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 CHAPTER XXI. 



" By wintry famine rous'd, from all the tract 

 Of horrid mountains, which the shining Alps 

 And weary Appenines and Pyrennees, 

 Branch out stupendous into distant lands; 

 Cruel as death and hungry as the grave, 

 Burning for blood ! boney, and gaunt and grim, 

 Assembling wolves in raging troops descend." 



THOMSON. 



FROM contemplating the varied utility of the dog, his instinc- 

 tive sagacity, his firm attachment and pleasing qualities, which 

 endear him to man, our attention is now called to an animal, 

 which, in its exterior form and internal structure, exactly resem- 

 bles the canine race, but possesses none of its agreeable dis- 

 positions, or useful propensities. 



THE WOLF 



Has, in all ages, been much detested, and is universally con- 

 sidered as the most savage enemy of mankind that exists in the 

 animal creation. 



The appetite of the wolf is excessively voracious. Although 

 naturally somewhat timid, it becomes, when pressed with hunger, 

 courageous from necessity, and braves every danger. 



In countries where wolves are numerous, whole droves come 

 down from the mountains, or out of the woods, and join in the 

 work of general devastation. They attack the sheep-folds, enter 

 the villages, and carry off sheep, lambs, hogs, calves, and even 

 dogs , for at such times, every kind of animal food is equally 

 agreeable. The horse and the ox, the only tame animals that 

 can make any resistance against these destroyers, are frequently 

 overpowered by their numbers, and their incessant attacks. Even 

 man himself, on these occasions, falls a victim to their rapacity. 

 They are seldom driven back until many of them be killed ; and 

 when obliged to retreat, soon return to the charge ; for when 

 their necessities are urgent, they become infuriate, and instead 

 of being intimidated by opposition, will rush upon certain destruc- 

 tion. They are particularly fond of human flesh, and if they 

 were sufficiently powerful, would probably eat no other. Those 

 that have once tasted it, ever after particularly seek to attack 

 mankind ; and choose to fall on the shepherd, in preference to 

 the flock. 



So insatiate is the appetite of the wolf, that to allay his hun- 



