THE AMERICAN WOLF. 



WE have -reserved, for the conclusion of our article, a 

 distinct notice of the Wolves of America. They are of 

 four kinds ; the common Wolf (Cams Lupus ;) the Prairie 

 or Barking Wolf; the Dusky, and the Black Wolf. The 

 common Wolf is considered to be the same species as the 

 Wolf of Europe, and in regard to habits and manners gives 

 every evidence of such an identity. Like all the wild 

 animals of the dog kind, they unite in packs to hunt down 

 animals which individually they could not master, and 

 during their sexual season, engage in the most furious 

 combats with each other for the possession of the females. 

 With respect to strength, fierceness and cruelty, the com- 

 mon Wolf of America has all the characteristics of that of 

 Europe, in an equal degree, and what has already been 

 said with regard to the latter, will apply equally to both. 



When the Wolf has been caught in a trap, and is ap- 

 proached by man, it is remarked to be exceedingly cow- 

 ardly, and occasionally suffers itself to be beaten without 

 offering the slightest resistance. If a dog be set upon a 

 wolf thus captured, the assault is patiently endured so long 

 as his master is present ; but as soon as the wolf is freed 

 from the restraint imposed by the presence of his captor, 

 he springs upon and throttles the dog, which, if not speedily 

 assisted, pays the forfeit of his presumption and temerity 

 with his life. 



In the regions west of Hudson's Bay, wolves are often 

 seen, both in the woods and on the plains, though their 

 numbers are inconsiderable, and it is not common to see 

 more than three or four in a pack. In the highest northern 

 latitudes which have yet been explored, the wolves are 

 very numerous and exceedingly audacious. They are 

 generally to be found at no great distance from the huts of 

 the Esquimaux, and follow these people from place to place, 



