INTRODUCTION. 93 
pass from one to the other, from the largest Irish 
greyhound, through wolves, dogs, jackals, and 
foxes, down to the zerda. Even in the wild species, 
the skulls of the European and American wolves 
differ sufficiently, if they were of dogs, to constitute 
two very distinct races; yet if the specimens of 
M. F. Cuvier can be depended upon, and that 
ascribed to the American wolf, in particular, be of 
the species common in the United States, it is 
singular that, in fur, markings, and stature, there 
should be almost no external distinction.* But we 
are not even certain when identity of origin has not 
been hitherto disputed, as in the case of domestic 
hogs. It is admitted that in the forest they occa- 
sionally breed with the wild boar, and that their 
offspring is as prolific as if it were the result of 
breeding from the same race. This is also known to 
be the fact in the mixed produce of the Chinese 
and European hog. We have had opportunities of 
seeing the Spanish and domestic breed become wild 
in South America and in Jamaica, resuming the 
characters of the wild boar of Europe; even the 
young becoming striped, like the marcassins of 
France. Yet if the observations by T. C. Eyton, 
Esq., reported in the Proceedings of the Zoological 
- * Several living specimens, one recently shot, many stuffed, 
and an immense number of skins, have been examined by 
us, which resembled the German wolves more nearly than the 
last mentioned do the Russian, of which we have seen also 
several specimens. 
