THE WOLF. 



327 



that is unlucky enough to be chased by a pack of Wolves. No matter how swift it 

 may be, it will most surely be overtaken at last by the long, slouching, tireless gallop 

 of the Wolves ; and no matter what may be its strength, it must at last fail under the 

 repeated and constant attacks of the sharp teeth. 



There is something remarkable about the bite of a Wolf. Instead of making its 

 teeth meet in the flesh of its antagonist, and then maintaining its hold, as is done by 

 most of the carnivora, the Wolf snaps sharply, fiercely, and repeatedly at its opponent 

 or its quarry ; delivering these attacks with such furious energy that when it misses 

 its mark its jaws clash together with a sound that has been likened to the sudden 

 closing of a steel-trap. These sharply snapping bites, so rapidly delivered, are of 

 terrible efficacy in destroying an enemy, or bringing down the prey. 



WOLF.-Caais lupus. 



The skeleton of the Wolf which is here presented to the reader affords an instructive 

 contrast with that of the lion on page 131, as exhibiting the bony framework around 

 which is built the bodily organization of two distinct carnivorous types of animals. 



Putting aside the differences that exist between the feline and the canine dentition, 

 the general character of the whole form is worthy of notice, and points out the creat- 

 ure as belonging to the group of carnivorous animals which obtains its prey by running 

 it down in a lengthy chase, rather than to those predaceous animals which destroy 

 their prey by a single powerful spring. The limbs are larger in proportion than those 

 of the lion, and the bones are more slenderly made. The head and neck are very 

 differently formed. Those of the lion are intended to serve the purpose of an animal 

 which leaps upon its prey, fixes its teeth in the flesh of its quarry, and there hangs 



