DOG KINEF. 35 



sumes, with age, his natural dispositions, and 

 returns, as soon as he can, to the woods from 

 whence he was taken. Dogs, even of the dullest 

 kinds, seek the company of other animals ; they 

 are naturally disposed to follow and accompany 

 other creatures besides themselves j and even 

 by instinct, without any education, take to the 

 care of flocks and herds. The wolf, on the con- 

 trary, is the enemy of all society ; he does not 

 even keep much company with those of his kind. 

 When they are seen in packs together, it is not 

 to be considered as a peaceful society, but a com- 

 bination for war : they testify their hostile inten- 

 tions by their loud howlings, and by their fierce- 

 ness discover a project for attacking some great 

 animal, such as a stag or a bull, or to destroy 

 some more redoubtable watch-dog. The instant 

 their military expedition is completed, their so- 

 ciety is at an end ; they then part, and each re- 

 turns in silence to his solitary retreat. There is 

 not even any strong attachments between the 

 male and female ; they seek each other only once 

 a-year, and remain but a few days together : they 

 always couple in winter ; at which time several 

 males are seen following one female, and this 

 association is still more bloody than the former : 

 they dispute most cruelly, growl, bark, fight, and 

 tear each other ; and it sometimes happens that 

 the majority kill the wolf which has been chiefly 

 preferred by the female. It is usual for the she- 

 wolf to fly from them all with him she has 

 chosen ; and she watches this opportunity when 

 the rest are asleep. 



