296 Frerp Museum or Natura History — Zoéxoey, Vor. XI. 
Family CANIDA. Wolves, Foxes, Dogs, 
etc. 
This family comprises the dog-like animals, including the Wolves, 
Foxes, Jackalls, etc.; and is practically cosmopolitan, representatives 
being found in all the continents and many of the larger islands except 
New Zealand and, perhaps, Australia, as there is some doubt as to 
whether the Wild Dog of the latter country is the descendant of an in- 
digenous or an introduced species. Unlike the Cats, the claws of these 
animals are not retractile, sharp, or curved, and are of little use to them 
in capturing prey, their only weapons of offense being their powerful 
jaws and teeth. In the Canide a cecum is always present and, while 
in some species it is short and simple, in others it is of fair size and is 
often more or less coiled and twisted; that of an average size dog, 
when uncoiled, is usually about 5 or 6 inches in length. Other char- 
acters for this family are, inflated but only partially divided audital 
bulla, the septum being incomplete; alisphenoid canal present; four 
premolars on each side of both jaws and upper carnassial with two cusps. 
Prof. Huxley divided the numerous species belonging to this family 
in two series: The Lupine or wolf-like forms, and the Vulpine, consist- 
ing of the Foxes and their allies. The latter hunt in a stealthy manner 
and generally prey upon animals smaller than themselves. The Lupine 
forms, on the contrary, are larger, bolder and more powerful, and when 
gathered together in packs will pursue and kill large animals, such as 
Buffalo, Elk and Deer, and when pressed by hunger will even attack 
man. 
In Russia and other parts of northern Europe, Wolves are greatly 
feared by the peasants in sparsely settled districts, and much has been 
written by ancient writers, such as Pliny, Aristotle, Topsell and 
others, regarding their ferocity and cunning, who vied with each other 
in lauding the sagacity displayed by these animals, in many instances 
being apparently unable to separate truth from fiction. Writing in 
1607, Edward Topsell says,* ‘‘It is also worth the observation how he 
As described by Topsell. 
* Historie of Foure Footed Beastes, London, 1607, p. 739. 
