THE WOLF OF MUSKOKA 157 



moreover there is often great variation even in 

 the wolves of closely neighbouring localities. 



My first visit to the backwoods of Muskoka 

 was preceded by a trip to Cairo, Constantinople, 

 etc. My note on the grey wolf written at this 

 time naturally savours of the impressions of these 

 travels. 



" The grey wolf," I wrote, " is a very 

 formidable animal, in appearance not unlike the 

 large wild dogs of Constantinople, though more 

 imposing and ferocious-looking. In size and 

 weight they would compete with a bloodhound 

 or a Newfoundland dog. The head is massive 

 with broad nostrils ; its heavy jaws are armed 

 with rows of sharp teeth calculated to rend in 

 pieces the toughest material. Their build de- 

 notes great strength. The tail is short, thick, 

 and bushy, and is generally carried slightly above 

 the level of the back. The coat is thick and 

 coarse, though not without some attraction and 

 beauty." 



A wolf is a terrible fighter. He will decimate 

 a pack of hounds by rapid snaps with his power- 

 ful jaws, while suffering little damage himself; 

 nor are the ordinary big dogs, supposed to be 

 fighting dogs, able to tackle him without special 



