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THE COMMON WOLF. (Lupus vulgaris.) 



In Europe two species of wolf are found, namely, the common 

 wolf (Lupus vulgaris) and the black wolf (L. lycaon). 



The former inhabits France, Germany, Russia, Sweden, 

 Norway, and Italy j the latter Spain and other countries in the 

 south of Europe. 



The common wolf of Western Europe is in stature from 

 two-feet three inches to two-feet five inches, measuring from 

 the shoulder. The general colour on the head, neck, and back 

 is fulvous grey j the hairs being mostly white at the root, then 

 ringed with black, fulvous, and white, and tipped with black ; 

 those beneath the ears, on the neck, shoulders, and buttocks, 

 being much longer, form a kind of mane, which particularly 

 protects the throat : all are hard and strong, especially about 

 the nose and on the ears. The muzzle is black 5 the sides of 

 the cheeks and above the eyes more or less yellow, turning 

 grey with age. The upper lip and chin are white -, the limbs 

 yellow or dun. 



Formerly the common wolf infested Great Britain. " In the 

 Saxon times we find that in Athelstane's reign wolves abounded 

 so in Yorkshire, that a retreat was built at Flixton in that 



