88 THE WOLF. 



obnoxious race. They are said to have infested Ire- 

 land some time after they were destroyed in this coun- 

 try, but for a length of time they have been entirely 

 free. 



The species of this animal is very much diffused in 

 different parts of the world, for it is to be found in 

 Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Besides the 

 common wolves, which abound in France and Ger- 

 many, there are some whose hair is of a yellow hue ; 

 these never approach human habitations, but live en- 

 tirely by the chace. The wolves of Senegal resemble 

 those of France, except that they are fiercer, and 

 stronger in their make ; but in northern climates they 

 degenerate in size, and some of them are black, whilst 

 others are white. In the Eastern parts they are train- 

 ed for shew, and taught to dance and play a variety 

 of tricks, yet can never be made completely tame ; 

 they are wholly incapable of any attachment ; and as 

 they grow in years, generally contrive to return to their 

 native woods. 



The dog has been described as a sociable animal ; 

 but wolves assemble merely to destroy ; and whenever 

 a pack combine together, it is a proof they are in 

 pursuit of some creature greatly superior to them in 

 size ; but the moment their design is completed, each 

 sullenly returns to his private haunt. 



The wolf grows grey as he gets old, and his teeth de- 

 cay with his years ; he sleeps as soon as satisfied with 

 food ; but, like the dog, his slumbers are light. Al- 

 though so voracious, he can pass several days without 

 food, provided he can find a supply of drink : his 

 chief strength seems to lie in his teeth and jaws ; and 

 he can carry off a sheep with the greatest ease : he 

 plunders for days and nights together, and of all ani- 



