MAMMALIA—WOLF. 145 
with thicker hair, inclining to yellow. In the northern climates, some are 
found quite black, and some white all over. The former are larger and 
stronger than those of any other kind. 

THE CLOUDED BLACK WOLF. 





Tuis animal is a native of the extreme northern regions of America. It 
is a much nobler looking creature than the eommon species, and is alse 
much arger and more robust. The ears are remarkably short, and the tail 
is shorter in proportion than that of the wolf. The hair is mottled with 
various shades of black, gray, and white, and is of considerable length, par- 
ticularly along the middle of the back and shoulders, where it forms a sort 
of ill defined mane. On the sides the coloring is somewhat lighter, and is 
of a still lighter shade beneath. From the top of the nose to the origin of 
the tail, this animal measures about four feet and a quarter. Its ferocity 
remains undiminished by protracted confinement. 

THE AMERICAN WOLF. 
Ture common wolf of America is considered to be the same species as the 
wolf of Europe, and, in regard to habits and manners, gives every evidenze 
ef such an identity.* : 


1 Canis Lycaon, Lin. 
* Richardson remarks that he has travelled over thirty degrees of latitude in America, 
and has never seen there any wolves which had the gaunt appearance, the comparatively 
long jaw and tapering nose, the high ears, long legs, slender loins, and narrow feet of the 
Pyrenean wolf. He adds, that the American animal has a more robust form than the 
European wolf. Its muzzle is thicker and more obtuse, its head larger and rounder, and 
there is a sensible depression at the union of the nose and forehead. He notices six varie- 
ties of the wolf in North America :—common gray wolf, white, pied, dusky, black, and 
praine. ‘Lhere is little reason to doubt that all the wolves of America are of one species ; 
and -he variations of size,color, and habits, are to be referred to diversities f climate 
which have been gradually impressed upon these animals. 
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