THE WOLF.] 



THE DOG-, AND ITS VAEIETIES: 



[the wolf. 



Prairie wolf, the Canis latrans of Say, which 

 inhabits the plains of the Missouri and Saskat- 

 chewan, as well as those of the Columbia. It 

 is smaller and fleeter than the common wolf; 

 associates in large troops, and dwells in bur- 

 rows on the plains, remote from the forests. 

 In Mexico is found a distinct species of wolf, 

 the Canis Mexicanus of Desmartes ; and a spe- 

 cies termed the red wolf, inhabits the Pam- 

 pas of La Plata. The Antarctic wolf is a 

 native of the Palkland Isles, and seems to be 

 an intermediate link between the wolves and 

 foxes. It feeds principally upon a species of 

 goose (anser leucopterus) ; goes in packs, which 

 wander about by day, but more commonly in 

 the evening, and burrow in holes. This spe- 

 cies is about fifteen inches in height at the 

 shoulder; the tail is short, and white at the 

 tip; the limbs are short, but the contour of 

 the head is wolf-like. It is termed by Pen- 

 nant the Antarctic fox. 



Colonel Sjkes has described a wolf from 

 Dukhun, under the title of Canis pallipes, 

 which he states to be numerous in the open, 

 stony plains of that region, but not to be met 

 with in the woods of the Ghauts. 



Mr. Hodgson notices the common European 

 wolf as occurring in the lower region of the 

 !N"epaul Mountains. 



Wolves are said to be particularly partial to 

 dogs. This is noticed by Mr. Lloyd, in his 

 Field Sports in ilie North of Europe, where he 

 says, those animals usually picked up every 

 one that was at large in this part of the 

 country. Several were taken from both Ei- 

 sater and TJddeholm. Caresse was the draw- 

 ing-room pet at the latter mansion, and was as 

 fat and as sleek as a mole ; but, happening to 

 be star-gazing one evening, just outside the 

 door, a, famished wolf whipped her up in his 

 horrid jaws, and was instantly across the lake 

 with her. 



The same writer gives us another instance 

 of the audacity of these animals. "It was 

 Christmas time, and there were fifteen or six- 

 teen sledges in company ; most of the horses 

 were provided with such bells as are used in 

 Scandinavia. In the middle of the cavalcade 

 was a sledge occupied by a lady ; at the back 

 of the vehicle, as is frequently the case, sat 

 the servant, who was driving ; whilst on a bear- 

 skin, which covered her feet, a favourite lap- 

 370 



dog was reposing. In passing through a wood, 

 however, and in spite of the jingling of the 

 bells, &c., a large wolf suddenly sprang from a 

 thicket, when, seizing the poor dog, he leaped 

 over the sledge, and was out of sight in a thick 

 brake on the opposite side of the wood, in the 

 course of a few seconds." 



Fierce as the wolf is, however, it can be 

 tamed, and even domesticated ; but it requires 

 to be taken very young ; and this is, perhaps, 

 one of the characteristics that brings this 

 fierce, yet cowardly animal into relationship 

 with the dog. M. F. Cuvier gives a very in- 

 teresting account of a tame wolf, which showed 

 all the affection that the most gentle dog could 

 evince towards its master. When full-grown^ 

 he was presented by his owner to the mena- 

 gerie at Paris. Por many weeks he was quite 

 disconsolate at the separation from his master, 

 who had been obliged to travel ; he would 

 scarcely take any food, and was indifferent to 

 his keepers. At length he became attached 

 to those about him, and he seemed to have 

 forgotten his old affections. His master re- 

 turned after an absence of eighteen months ; 

 the wolf heard his voice amidst the crowd in 

 the gardens of the menagei'ie, and, being set 

 at liberty, displayed the most violent joy. 

 Again was he separated from his friend ; and 

 again was his grief as extreme as on the first 

 occasion. After three years' absence, his mas- 

 ter once more returned. It was evening, and 

 the wolf's den was shut up from any external 

 observation ; yet the instant the man's voice 

 was heard, the faithful animal set up the most 

 anxious cries ; and the door of his cage being 

 open, he rushed towards his friend, leaped upon 

 his shoulders, licked his face, and threatened 

 to bite his keepers when they attempted to 

 separate them. When the man left him, he 

 fell sick, and refused all food; and from the 

 time of his recovei'y, which was long very 

 doubtful, it was always dangerous for a 

 stranger to approach him. He appeared as if 

 he scorned any new friendships. 



In this anecdote we have certainly evinced 

 a strong resemblance to a similar sensibility 

 in the dog; and it forcibly recalls the animal 

 of Ulysses, so much celebrated in the Odyssey, 

 for its memory, attachment, and faithfulness. 

 The passage is well known, having been often 

 quoted. 



