G3 CARNIVORA. 



are larger, and his frame more muscular than those of that ani- 

 mal, and between the two there exists a most inveterate hatred. 

 The well known traits of the Wolf are ferocity, cunning and 

 cowardice. In the earlier periods of English history, it is often 

 adverted to as a common and dreaded pest. In consequence of 

 its ravages, many of the early British kings and chieftains, as if 

 to render themselves more formidable, adopted its name with cer- 

 tain adjuncts. This is seen in such names as Athlewolf, (noble 

 wolf;) Berth wolf, (illustrious wolf;) Bad wolf, (prosperous wolf,) 

 etc. It was finally extirpated in England, about 1350, in Scot- 

 land, about 1600, and in Ireland, about 1700. It is still abundant 

 in the northern countries of Europe, and in France and Western 

 Asia. Wolves always hunt in packs, and evince great craftiness 

 in waylaying and pursuing their prey. Sometimes they form a 

 semicircle and advance upon the animal which they would reach, 

 in this way forcing it over a precipice, or gradually hemming it 

 in so as to prevent its escape. Winter is the time when they 

 are most dreaded by those living in the regions which they in- 

 habit. Then as hunger renders them peculiarly ferocious and 

 daring, they, with the greatest obstinacy, follow after their prey, 

 whether it be man or animal. Under the gnawings of famine, 

 they will devour every sort of offal, and even disinter the dead. 

 It is related that in the reign of Louis XIV. a large party of 

 dragoons were, in the depth of winter, attacked at the foot of the 

 Jural mountains, by a numerous band of wolves. The dragoons 

 fought bravely, and killed many hundreds of them ; but at last, 

 overpowered by numbers, they and their horses were all devoured. 



Of the Wolf, many varieties are found in both continents. 

 The C. lupus, Common Wolf, is of a yellowish or fulvous gray 

 color; covered with harsh and strong hair, and from twenty- 

 seven to thirty inches high at the slioulders. Of this there is a 

 variety, white, either as an albino, or as the effect of a northern 

 or cold climate, also found in both continents, viz. C. lupus albus. 

 The wolves of Lapland and Siberia are almost all of a whitish 

 gray color ; those of the Alps in Europe, and the Rocky Moun- 

 tains of North America, become white or nearly so. The length 

 of the American White Wolf (albus) is about four and a half feet, 

 it being the largest of all the varieties of this animal. The 

 Black American Wolf, C. Lupus, (Niger.) is of the same shape 

 as the Common American Wolf, and rising three feet in length. 



Packs of this animal, showing various shades approaching 

 black, have been found occasionally in every part of the United 

 States. In Florida the prevailing color is black. This is the 

 most numerous variety among the Pyrenees of Europe, and also 



