NATURAL HISTORY. 



The dog, even in his savage state, is not cruel ; he- 

 is easily tamed, and continues firmly attached to his 

 master. The wolf, when taken young, becomes tame 

 but never affectionate. Nature is stronger in him 

 than education ; he resumes, with age, his natural 

 dispositions, and embraces the first opportunity to re- 

 turn to his native woods. Dogs, even of the dullest 

 kinds seek the company of other animals, and they are 

 naturally disposed to follow and accompany them. 

 The wolf on the contrary, is the enemy of all society, 

 nor does he keep much company even with those of 

 his kind. When they are seen in packs together, it 

 is not to be considered as a peaceful society, but a 

 combination for war. They testify their hostile in- 

 tentions by their loud bowlings, and by their fierce- 

 nes discover a project for attacking some great ani- 

 mal, such as a stag or a bull, or for destroying some 

 formidable dog. The instant their military expedition 

 is completed, their society is at an end. They then 

 part, and each returns in silence to his solitary retreat. 

 There is not even any strong attachment between the 

 male and female ; they seek each other only once a 

 year, and remain but a few days together. 



The difference in the duration of the pregnancy, of 

 the she-wolf, who goes with young above an hundred 

 days, and the bitch, who does not go above sixty, 

 proves that the wolf and the dog, so different in dis- 

 position, are still more so in one of the principal func- 

 tions of the animal economy. 



The wolf generally brings forth five or six, and 

 sometimes even nine at a litter. The cubs are brought 

 forth, like those of the bitch, with the eyes closed. 

 The dam suckles them for some weeks, and teaches 

 them occasionally to eat flesh, which she prepares for 



