38 THE WOLF. 



arice. It is distinguished also by its superior size, stronger 

 limbs, and more muscular body. Possessed of great 

 strength in the muscles of his neck and jaws, he runs off" 

 with a sheep or lamb with the greatest facility. The an- 

 cients had an opinion that the neck of the Wolf was all ot 

 one solid bone ; but, on the contrary, his neck is extremely 

 flexible, being able to turn and twist it better than the 

 Dog kind. The hair of the Wolf is long, and the color 

 a mixture of brown, black, and gray, with a tinge of yel- 

 low ; beneath the hair, he is well clothed with an ash- 

 colored fur, which enables him, without inconvenience, 

 to endure the severity of the climate he inhabits. In dif- 

 ferent parts of the world, however, a difference in color 

 is exhibited. In Canada he is sometimes black; and 

 occasionally, elsewhere, he is found almost white. 



The Wolf inhabits the continents of Europe, Asia, 

 Africa, and America ; and his predominant characteiy 

 istics are everywhere the same, although differing in degree. 

 The Wolves of Senegal are much more savage as well as 

 larger than those found in Europe ; while those of North 

 America are comparatively small ; and it is said, that 

 from those proceeded the dogs which were found there 

 by the Europeans on their first arrival : when reclaimed, 

 they are the dogs of the natives. Those of Egypt are 

 also smaller, and certainly not so ferocious, for they are 

 there taught to dance and play antics, which confer on 

 them an imaginary value, being often sold for four or five 

 hundred crowns. 



The female Wolf produces five or six, and sometimes 

 even nine at a litter ; they are nourished with the mother's 

 rnilk for some weeks ; when they acquire strength, she 

 teaches them to eat flesh, by chewing it for them ; and 

 early inures them to slaughter, by bringing birds or small 

 animals, half dead, with which they are instructed to play, 

 as a cat with a mouse, till at last the victims receive the 

 coup-de-grace, and are devoured. The cubs seldom quit 



