184/.] Report of Curator, Zoological Department. 1177 



finer than) that of either of the three Tibetan specimens ; and the ears 

 measure the same : but the Tibetan is a much slighter animal than the 

 European Wolf, with considerably smaller paws. Its pelage is finer and 

 softer, rather longer, but certainly not more dense and woolly next the skin ; 

 and the general tone of colour is much paler, this arising, however, in a great 

 measure, from the considerable diminution of the number of black-tipped 

 hairs on the sides (in most specimens), and their total absence — or nearly so 

 ■ — on the limbs ; the distinct black streak in front of the fore-limbs of the 

 European Wolf, as of the Jackal, being but very slightly indicated in the 

 majority of individuals of the Tibetan Wolf, and in some specimens not at 

 all. European^Wolves vary a good deal, in some being much more fulvescent 

 than others, or having the black tips and markings more developed : and the 

 same variation occurs in the Tibetan race ; the fulvous of the European 

 Wolf being replaced by a delicate light isabelline, or rufous cream-colour, 

 which prevails on the neck, upper-half of limbs, shoulders, and saddle (where 

 mixed with the usual long black-tipped hairs) ; and the ears of some are 

 conspicuously bright light rufous, while in others this colour is paler, and 

 more or less mixed with black, as in European specimens. The pale colour 

 of the Tibetan Wolf is in conformity with that of many other animals of the 

 same region, as the Foxes, Bear, Ounce, Lynx, &c, and the Leopard when 

 inhabiting near the snows. Comparing the skull of a European Wolf witli 

 four skulls of Tibetan Wolves (presented by G. T. Lushington, Esq., IV, 5(>), 

 the most marked difference consists in the superior development and elevation 

 of the super-orbital process in the latter; the muzzle, too, is somewhat 

 broader in the European, and its teeth are decidedly larger and more robust ;* 

 the ensemble is sufficiently different to enable one who has examined them 

 together to pronounce, I think, with confidence in which of these regions a 

 Wolf-skull had been procured ; but individuals of each race differ to that 

 extent that we should not be too hasty in assuming any particular distinction 

 as absolute and invariable. Specimens of Wolves from other parts of middle 

 and northern Asia require to be extensively compared, ere the vexed question 

 of specific differences or identity can be determined with so much as an 

 approximation to probability. Nevertheless, the analogy afforded by the 

 adjudged distinctness of the Bear, Ounce, and Lynx, of Tibet — not to mention 

 other instances, is in favor of the Wolf also being a peculiar species, though 

 distinguished in a less marked manner from its nearest affincs. For flic 

 present, however, I think we can only venture to regard it as Cams lupus, var. 

 lomxjcr, (Hodgson.) 



1 I observe remarkable difference, however, in this respect, between tlie different 

 Tibetan Woli 'skulls. 



7 n 2 



