THE AMERICAN WOLF. 49 



wolf by its greatly superior size, difference in color, &c. 

 But little is known of the peculiar habits of this species, 

 though there is no reason for believing that it differs 

 much from those of its kindred species or varieties. It is 

 remarkable for diffusing a strong disagreeable odor. 



The general color of this wolf is dusky, the hair being 

 ash-colored at base, then brownish-black, then gra} r , arid 

 next, black. The proportion of black upon the hairs is so 

 considerable, as to impart a much darker color to the whole 

 animal, than is found in the darkest of the barking wolves, 

 but in the general effect a mottled appearance is produced 

 by the gray of the hairs combining with the black of the 

 tips. The gray color predominates on the lower part of the 

 sides. The ears are short, and of a deep brownish-black, 

 with a patch of gray hair on the anterior side within. The 

 muzzle is blackish above, and the superior lips, anterior to 

 the canine teeth, are gray ; the same color extends from the 

 tip of the lower jaw, in a narrow line backwards, nearly to 

 the commencement of the neck. On the under part of the 

 body, the color is dusky ferruginous, with long grayish 

 hairs between the thighs, and with a large white spot on 

 the breast. The legs are of a brownish-black, having but 

 a slight admixture of gray hairs, except on the front ridge of 

 the thighs, and the lower edging of the toes where the gray 

 predominates. 



The tail is short and fusiform, slightly tinged with rust 

 color ; near the base and at the tip it is black on the upper 

 surface ; the end of the tail itself, does not quite reach the 

 os-calcis. The longer hairs of the back, particularly over 

 the shoulders, resemble a short spare mane. 



The Black Wolf has been found in Missouri and in the 

 British possessions, and is considered by many as a differ- 

 ent species from the Black Wolf of Europe. In general, 

 its appearance resembles that of the comraou Wolf, but in 

 size it is intermediate between it and the fox. An account 

 is given of one of these wolves who was taken when young 



