THE WOLF. 4rl 



Wolves, in the northern parts of the world, sometimes 

 get on the ice of the sea, in order to prey on young seals, 

 which they seize when asleep ; but sometimes the ice, de- 

 tached from the shore, carries them to a great distance 

 from the land, and large districts have thus been cleared 

 of these pernicious animals, which have been heard howl- 

 ing in a dreadful manner far in the sea. 



Hunting the Wolf is a favorite diversion in all coun- 

 tries where he abounds ; for this purpose greyhounds are 

 used, which are let fly at him in leashes, one after another. 

 He defends himself well, threatens them on all sides, and 

 frequently escapes. He is also frequently taken in pitfalls, 

 where he is so confounded, that he .may be either killed or 

 taken alive without much danger, though at other times he 

 enjoys his senses in the highest degree of perfection. The 

 Swedes destroy these animals by stuffing the carcase of a 

 sheep with a species of lichen or tree-rnoss, (lichen vulpi- 

 nus) which is considered a certain poison to the Wolf, and 

 also, as the name imports, to the fox. This is said to be 

 mixed with pounded glass, which is probably more destruc- 

 tive than the lichen. 



The Wolf sleeps as soon as he has filled his belly, or is 

 fatigued, and for this refreshment he prefers the day to the 

 night ; like the dog, he is easily awakened. He bears 

 hunger better than thirst, and will live four or five days 

 without food, provided he is well supplied with water. He 

 is sometimes affected with madness, accompanied with 

 symptoms similar to that of dogs ; and this disease hap- 

 pens to him in the depth of winter, and therefore, as Mr. 

 Pennant observes, cannot be attributed to the rage of the 

 dog-days. 



No part of the Wolf is of use, except his skin and fur ; 

 he respires a most foetid vapor ; and his flesh is univer- 

 sally disliked. " In short, every way offensive, a savage 

 aspect, a frightful howl, an insupportable odor, a perverse 



