WOLF. 187 



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 in- 

 furiate, and instead of being intimidated by opposi- 

 tion, will rush upon certain destruction. They are 

 particularly fond pf 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 th 

 shepherd in preference to the flock. 



About the year! 764, an animal of this kind com mm it- 

 ted the most dreadful ravages in some particular dis- 

 tricts of Languedoc, and soon became the terror of the 

 whole country. According to the accounts given in 

 the Paris Gazette, he was known to have killed twenty 

 persons, chiefly women and children. 



The wolf is, of all animals, one of the most diffi- 

 cult to conquer in the chase; and in the forests of 

 Germany, and other countries where they are yes 

 numerous, the following are the methods of hunting 

 them. 



In some sequestered -part they hang a piece of car- 

 rion on the branch of a tree, having previously laid 

 a train, by leaving at proper intervals small pieces of 

 putrid flesh which the wolves, having an exquisite 

 scent, can smell at a great distance. The hunters 

 then wait till it be dark, and with great circumspec- 

 tion approach the place, where they often find two or 

 three wolves assembled, leaping up and endeavouring 

 to catch the bait ; and while the animals are thus bu- 

 sily employed, they dispatch them with their fire- 

 arms. 



Another method is to take them in strong nets, into 

 ' which they are driven by the hunters, who surround 

 a large tract of land, and with drams, horns, and other 

 instruments, accompanied with loud shouts from a 

 large company that is generally assembled oji the 

 occasion, drive them into the entrance of the nets,, 



