yO THE COMMON WOLF. 



distinctly-marked varieties. These voracious aud dangerous animals 

 are found in almost every quarter of the globe, whether the country 

 which they infest be heated by the beams of the tropical sun or frozen 

 by the lengthened winter of the northern regions. • Mountain and plain, 

 forest and field, jungle and prairie, are equally infested with Wolves, 

 which possess the power of finding nourishment for their united bands 



The Wolf iCanis lupus). 



in localities where even a single predaceous animal might be peiplexed 

 to gain a livelihood. 



The color of the Common Wolf is gray, mingled with a slight tint- 

 ing of fawn, and diversified with many black hairs that are interspersed 

 among the lighter-colored fur. In the older animals the gray appears 

 to predominate over the fawn, while the fur of the younger Wolves is 

 of a warmer fawn tint. The under parts of the animal, the lower jaw, 

 and the edge of the upper lip are nearly white, while the interior facing 

 of the limbs is of a gray tint. Between the ears the head is almost 

 entirely gray, and without the mixture of black hairs which is found 

 in greatest profusion along the line of the spine. 



When hungry — and the Wolf is almost always hungry — it is a bold 

 and dangerous animal, daring almost all things to reach its prey, and 

 venturing to attack large and powerful animals, such as the buflfalo, the 

 elk, or the wild horse. Sometimes it has been known to oppose itself 

 to other Carnivora, and to attack so unpromising a foe as the bear. 



It is by no means nice in its palate, and will eat almost any living 

 animal, from human beings down to frogs, lizards, and insects. More- 

 over, it is a sad cannibal, and is thought by several travellers who have 

 noted its habits to be especially partial to the flesh of its own kind. 

 A. weak, sickly, or wounded Wolf is sure to fall under the cruel teeth 

 of its companions, who are said to be so fearfully ravenous that if one 



