WOLF 59 



and that lie had once received an express from that place 

 in twenty-three hours, though the distance is not less 

 thin a hundred and thirty-five English miles." 



Towards the end of May, these animals are all turned 

 loose to provide for themselves during the summer ; but 

 they return to their masters when the cold weather sets in. 

 Their food in winter consists entirely of the head, entrails, 

 and bones of salmon, which are saved for that purpose : 

 and with even this poor diet they are but sparingly fed. 

 In a word, they are the most patient and useful animals 

 to be found in this peninsula ; and seem destined by Pro- 

 vidence as a compensation for the numerous privations 

 which its inhabitants experience. 



THE WOLF. 



This animal is nearly allied to the canine family ; and 

 indeed, in a few instances, has been known to intermix 

 with it, and thus produce a spurious breed. The wolf has 

 a long head, a pointed nose, sharp erect ears, a long 

 bushy tail, long legs, and rather long hair. It has large 

 formidable teeth, and is taller than any greyhound. Its 

 colour is generally a pale brown, tinged with yellow ; 

 though it is sometimes found white, and in Canada black. 

 The eyes slant upwards, and are of a fiery green ; and the 

 whole visage is ferocious, forming a just indication of its 

 disposition. 



The wolf is, in reality, one of those animals whose car- 

 nivorous appetite is the most vehement, and whose means 

 of satisfying it are the most various. Nature has fur- 

 nished it with strength, cunning, agility, and all the other 

 requisites for pursuit or conquest ; yet, even with these 

 advantages, it frequently dies of hunger. Proscribed by 

 man, it is compelled to seek the most sequestered retreats ; 

 and only when impelled by the most pressing hunger 

 ventures to make incursions near the villages and towns. 

 Its depredations, however, are terrible, whenever its rag- 

 ing appetites get the better of its fear : on these occasions 

 D 6 



