30 THE PRAIKIE WOLF. 



Mountains are so thickly acc-umulated that the region has 

 been appropriately called the " cemetery of the buffaloes." 



Among the most predatory and ferocious of the North 

 American animals is the Cayeute, or Prairie Wolf, and the 

 hunters consider an encounter with it as not less adven- 

 turous and full of risk than with a jaguar or a grizzly 

 bear. 



Wolves are more numerous in the New World than in the 

 Old. Everywhere along the borders of the mighty western 

 wildernesses, as well as in the recently cultivated districts, 

 in the neisflibourhood of outlyino- villag-es and farms, on the 

 prairies or in the woods, the wolf bursts upon the traveller 

 with foaming jaws and cruel eyes, and a hoarse deep howl 

 which seems to indicate the mingled cowardice and audacity 

 of its nature. 



The cayeute is too wary to be easily ensnared or trapped, 

 and is generally hunted with dogs and horses. His skin 

 is of a dingy red colour, in which some gray and white 

 hairs mingle. Such, at least, is the prevailing hue ; but 

 there are numerous variations, as in all other animals. 

 The bushy tail, tipped with black, is as long, or nearly as 

 long, as one-third of the animal's entire length. A striking 

 resemblance may be traced between him and the Indian 

 dogs ; in fact, there can be no doubt that both descend 

 from the same stock. His habitat is the region between 

 the Mississippi and the Pacific, as far south as Mexico. 

 Like jackals, he hunts in troops, pursuing goats and bisons, 

 and such other animals as he can circumvent or overpower. 

 He does not attack a Jieixl of bisons, but follows it in 



