OEDEE OF CAENIVOEA. 401 



the victim had tried to climb the sledge, and one of the travellers 

 has shot it. This incident gives some advantage to the fugitives ; 

 for the carnivorous troop halt for a few seconds to devour the body 

 of their companion. But the end is nigh ; the village or castle 

 appears against the grey sky, and the Wolves are deprived of 

 their anticipated prey. At other times the adventure terminates 

 in a tragical manner : after a pursuit of some hours, the team, 

 exhausted and incapable of progressing farther, is overtaken ; 

 the sledge is surrounded and carried by assault : the rest may be 

 imagined ! 



Certain Wolves — fortunately, they are rare — show a marked 

 preference for human flesh. Such was the notorious animal 

 which desolated Gevaudan, in the second half of the eighteenth 

 century, and whose evil reputation yet survives. This animal was 

 of enormous size (measuring about six feet from the point of the 

 nose to the tip of the tad), and for several years defied all efforts 

 made for its destruction. 



In India, where Wolves are classed among sacred animals, 

 they levy tribute on mankind, carrying off every year numbers 

 of children. 



In April or May the she Wolf brings forth five or six yoimg, 

 which she suckles for two months, after that time providing them 

 with such animal food as small game. For her progeny she 

 cherishes the most devoted affection, leaving them only when 

 compelled, watching over their safety, and sacrificing her life 

 in their defence. If she becomes aware that they have been 

 disturbed in her absence, or even their hiding-place approached, 

 she removes them at once to another locality. As soon as the 

 young are active on their legs, which happens when they are 

 about three months old, they are instructed to hunt and capture 



their prey. 



To put a limit to the ravages of Wolves, the kings of France 

 organised the Loureterie, an institution which yet exists in a 

 modified form. In the old French Court there was an office of 

 " Grand Louvetier." The person who held it extended his juris- 

 diction over all the Louvetiers in the provinces. The "Wolf- 

 hunters " levied a tax on each inhabitant residing within a radius 

 of two leagues of the place in which one of these brutes hap- 

 pened to be killed. The Eevolution swept away the Loiiveferie, 



U D 



