WOL VES. 499 



bark. They will breed freely with the larger kinds of domesticated dogs ; and it is 

 stated that some of the Indians in the north of America improve the breed of the 

 sleighing dogs by crossing with the wolf. 



The endurance of the wolf's gallop has become proverbial. " When pursued 

 by wolves," writes Mr. Lett, " deer make for the nearest water, in which they 

 have a chance to escape, being able to swim much faster than their enemies. Should 

 the river or lake be narrow, the deer generally swim either up or down, seldom 

 straight across ; frequently landing, after a detour, on the same side in which they 

 entered the water. By this means the wolves are puzzled and put off the scent. 

 If there are thick weeds or bush along the shore, the deer frequently sinks his body 

 under water, so that no part will appear above the surface but his head, and by 

 this means is enabled to evade the cunning of his pursuers." The wolf displays 

 remarkable caution in avoiding all kinds of traps set for his destruction; and 

 when he is caught will frequently feign death in the hope of being able to 

 escape. 



Fossil remains of the wolf occur in the caverns and superficial deposits of 

 England and the Continent; the earliest horizon from which they have been 

 obtained in this country being the so-called forest-bed of the Eastern Coast, which 

 antedates the glacial period. 



THE INDIAN WOLF (Canis pallipes). 



As already mentioned, there has been much discussion as to whether the 

 Indian wolf is distinct from the common species. According to Mr. Blanford, it 

 is distinguished from the common wolf by its smaller size and slighter build, as 

 well as by its shorter fur, which has little or no woolly under-fur. The length is 

 about 3 feet, exclusive of the tail ; and the general colour of the fur is a greyish 

 fulvous, usually with a brownish tinge, and sometimes with more or less black on 

 the back. Occasionally, however, a more or less strongly marked rufous tint may 

 be observed. Mr. Blanford states that all the skins that have come under his notice 

 are browner than is usually the case with the common wolf, and are of an earthy- 

 grey colour. 



The Indian wolf is confined to India south of the Himalaya. It is rare in 

 Lower Bengal, and unknown on the Malabar coast ; and it appears to be replaced 

 by the common species to the west of the Indus, although a few examples are 

 occasionally seen in the Trans-Indus districts. The young are born in holes or 

 caves among rocks during the months of October, November, and December, the 

 number in a litter varying from three to eight. 



Its habits are very similar to those of the common species; but, although 

 somewhat gregarious, these wolves do not associate in large packs, six or eight 

 being the largest number that have been seen together. Moreover, it appears to 

 be a rather silent animal, rarely, if ever, howling like the common wolf, but, 

 according to Jerdon, sometimes barking like a pariah dog. Its food includes 

 such mammals and birds as it can kill, but sheep, goats, and antelopes appear 

 to be the chief favourites. On occasion these wolves will attack adult human 

 beings, for which purpose two or more will combine together; and in certain 



