WOLVES AND JACKALS 



breed would at once develop a new variety; a variety 

 once commenced would in many generations undergo 

 many changes, especially if any very well-marked variety 

 should occur ; this would naturally lead to the possessors 

 endeavouring to perpetuate and increase the variety, more 

 especially if it were found to be of a useful quality. I 

 have found no difficulty in crossing wolves or jackals with 

 dogs when suitably matched, but have failed to breed 

 between dogs and foxes, notwithstanding that numerous 

 specimens have been from time to time brought to my 

 notice of the so-called cross ; but I have never met 

 with one well-authenticated instance of a hylrid clog 

 and fox. 



The habits of wolves and jackals are so much alike that 

 I am unable to point out any peculiarity or marked differ- 

 ences. In domestic dogs many of the habits of wolves 

 and jackals are frequently exhibited — the scratching up 

 the ground with the front feet, and with the hind feet 

 covering up the droppings, by the backward motion of the 

 hind feet. The turning round two or three times before 

 lying down is intended no doubt to form a hollow in the 

 ground to rest upon; these peculiarities may be noticed 

 in pet dogs about to rest upon the hearth-rug. The 

 whining, growling, and howling of wolves, jackals, and 

 dogs are so alike as to be undistinguishable, but the bark- 

 ing is undoubtedly an acquired habit, and doubtless due to 

 domestication. Wolves and jackals in a wild state never 

 bark, neither do Esquimaux dogs nor dingos ; neverthe- 

 less, if kept associated with barking dogs, they in many 

 instances acquire the habit. 



A well-authenticated instance came under my observ- 

 ation. A wild Antarctic wolf, after it had been in the 

 Gardens a few months, heard the barking of dogs in the 

 immediate neighbourhood, and the animal began to bark, 



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