7772 Quadrupeds. 



As an article of food the flesh of the lynx is highly esteemed, both 

 by the natives and the white residents : it is of a light colour and well- 

 flavoured, the fat, which is soft, like that of the bear, lying mostly on 

 the ribs. 



Gray or Strongwood Wolf {Canis [Lupus) occidentalis, var. griseus). 

 — Size that of a large mastiff" dog, but stands rather higher. Hair long, 

 and not coarse ; under fur very thick and woolly. Tail very full, but 

 not so long in proportion as that of a fox. Colour varies: in barren 

 grounds variety generally white ; in strong wood dark gray. Length, 

 from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, about Gj feet. Weight 

 about 50 lbs. 



This is the only species of wolf in the Mackenzie River district ; 

 but I am inclined to divide it into two varieties — the dark gray, or the 

 strong wood, and the white, or barren ground. These two are doubt- 

 less the same species, though in colouring, locality and habits there is 

 a considerable difference between them. 



The general appearance of both varieties of wolf is rather prepos- 

 sessing, resembling a good deal that of the native dogs. The head is 

 full, broad between the ears, and tapering towards the snout. The legs, 

 though rather long, are stout with good muscular development. The 

 paws are large, furnished with strong claws, and well furred. The 

 teeth are long and white, and the jaws are of immense power. The 

 eyes are placed obliquely, the inner corner tending downwards. The 

 tail is moderately long and very bushy. 



The white wolf is found inhabiting the barren grounds and the 

 wooded country bordering on them, its migrations being dependent on 

 the movements of the rein deer, its principal food. This kind of wolf 

 lives in considerable bands, which unite in hunting parties to run down 

 or surround the deer, driving them over cliffs or into rivers or lakes, as 

 is most convenient. In size they are smaller than the gray variety, 

 though much larger than the prairie wolf. Their colour is generally a 

 dirty yellowish white, with most commonly a stripe of gray down the 

 back, but not always. 



The dark gray, or strong-wood variety, which I have styled 

 " argentatus," from the resemblance of its colour to that of the silver 

 fox, inhabits the wooded country. It most commonly is seen alone, 

 but as many as six have been observed in a band. The only speci- 

 mens of its skin which 1 have seen were received at Fort Resolution, 

 on Great Slave Lake, and is evidently still rarer among wolves than 

 than the silver is among foxes. In its full winter pelage it is a magni- 



