The Dog Tribe. 101 



gradually dies away if the creature be kept in confine- 

 ment. 



The black-backed jackal of South Africa may be 

 easily distinguished from the Asiatic species by the 

 black and white markings upon the back. The size 

 and general appearance of both animals are much the 

 same; in habits also they are so similar that a detailed 

 description is rendered unnecessary. 



THE fiercest and most terrible animals of the dog 

 tribe are found in the WOLVES, which inhabit almost 

 all parts of the world, from the Arctic regions to the 

 tropics. 



There are several kinds of wolves, as well as many 

 varieties, which by some authors are elevated to the rank 

 of species. The best known of these is the Common 

 Wolf (Cam's lupus}, which is so abundant in many 

 parts of Europe. The colour of this animal is grey, 

 rather thickly sprinkled with black hairs, and tinted 

 in some parts of the body with a warm fawn hue ; 

 the lower parts of the body are almost white. 



When found singly, which is not very often, the 

 wolf is a comparatively insignificant enemy, his 

 courage not being of a very high order ; when banded 

 together in packs, however, which is almost always 

 the case, there are few animals which he cannot 

 overcome. Even the bear himself often falls a 

 victim to his attacks, and such powerful animals as 

 the buffalo and the elk have little or no chance against 

 him. 



One great peculiarity in the wolf lies in its unweary- 

 ing pertinacity when engaged in the pursuit of prey. 

 Once fairly upon the trail, it follows up the victim with 

 a long, swinging gallop, which carries it along at a 

 wonderful pace, and is certain, sooner or later, to bring 

 it up with the quarry, however fleet the hunted animal 

 may be. 



