Wolves.] 



MUSEUM OF ANIMATED NATURE. 



203 



cesses where human foot, never treads. The dog was 

 found by the side of his master's body, after many 

 weeks' fruitless search. The man who told the 

 story had never heard of the poem, but the senti- 

 ment of natural piety with which it concludes was 

 on his lips. '-'• God knows," he said, " how the poor 

 beast was supported so long." 



Fig. 898 illustrates the singular attachment that 

 occasionally takes place between the dog and other 

 animals. The wood-cut represents a spaniel bitch 

 in company with a young lion, belonging to Atkins's 

 menagerie, in 1828. The lion was ill, and the 

 spaniel nourished it and tended it with the utmost 

 solicitude. 



We have alluded to the great similarity, not- 

 withstanding their mutual hostility, which exists 

 between the Esquimaux dog and the wolf, and we 

 have introduced a representation of the former ani- 

 mal, in order the better to compare it with the 

 wolf, and to show how closely it resembles a mixed 

 breed between the dog and the wolf, of which two 

 individuals were exhibited in 1828 in Mr. Womb- 

 well's menagerie. Fig. 899 is a representation of 

 several Esquimaux dogs harnessed by their masters 

 to a sledge ; Fig. 900 represents the two specimens 

 of the mixed breed; Figs. 901, 902, 903, the Wolf. 

 We have already denied the correctness of the infer- 

 ence, that because the wolf and the jackal respec- 

 tively breed with the dog, they are therefore, as 

 Hunter affirmed, all of one species : no one, we think, 

 will now regard the wolf and the jackal as identi- 

 cal ; nor is there any more ground for believing 

 that the dog is either the one or the other, than for 

 assuming that the wolf and the jackal are one. 



Figs. 904 and 905 are the skull of the European 

 wolf, in two views: it differs in various minor de- 

 tails from the skull of the Canada wolf, of which 

 Figs. 906 and 907 are two similar views. 



Figs. 908 and 909 represent the skull of the 

 Jackal, in two views ; it differs from those both of 

 the European and American wolf. These skulls 

 may be compared with those of the various breeds 

 of dogs previously given. Fig. 910 is a spirited 

 delineation of the head of the Wolf, for comparison 

 with that of the nearest of the dogs. We shall now 

 pass from a consideration of the dog, to its proxi- 

 mate ally. 



901, 902, 903, 911, 919.— The Wolf 



(Canis Lupus). Aiicos, Aristotle ; le Loup, French; 

 il Lupo, Italian. A robust but gaunt frame, a 

 skulking or irresolute gait, ferocity mingled with 

 cunning and cowardice, and a wild yet sinister ex- 

 pression of the physiognomy, characterize this beast 

 of prey. Spread throughout Europe and various 

 parts of Asia, it is more particularly in. mountain 

 and forest districts that the wolf prevails, where the 

 population is scanty, and collected into small towns 

 or villages, with a wide country around, destitute of 

 human dwellings. In the Pyrenees, the Carpathian 

 mountains, in Poland, Hungary, some parts of Aus- 

 tria, France, Italy, and Spain ; in Norway, Sweden, 

 and Russia, the wolf is yet common ; as well as in 

 western Asia, and the border territories included in 

 Europe. Formerly this animal was abundant in 

 the British Islands, and the plague and terror of the 

 country. Verstegan, in his ' Restitution of decayed 

 Intelligence in Antiquities, concerning the most 

 noble and renowned English nation,' 1605, observes 

 that January was called Wolf-monat by the Anglo- 

 Saxons, " because people were wont in that moneth 

 to be more in danger to be devoured of wolves than 

 in any season els of the yeare, for that through the 

 extremity of cold and snow those ravenous crea- 

 tures could not find other beasts sufficient to feed 

 upon." The universal fear which the wolf, where 

 numerous, would naturally inspire, was formerly 

 heightened by superstition, and fiends or malignant 

 beings were imagined as having power to assume 

 the form and power of this dreaded animal. Ly- 

 canthropos of the Greeks, the Were-wolf of the 

 Anglo-Saxons, and the Loup-garou of the French 

 had reference to some such preternatural monster, 

 whose name was associated with all that is horrible 

 and mysterious. Conspicuous then, and dreaded for 

 its power and ferocity, we can scarcely wonder that 

 the wolf should have had its name assumed, or given 

 to men of distinction, by our barbarous but warlike 

 forefathers, among whom such appellations as Ethel- 

 wolf, Eadwolf, Berthwolf, and many more, were 

 common. 



It must not be supposed, however, that our Saxon 

 ancestors tamely suffered the wolf to ravage the 

 country. The attempt at extirpating this animal 

 commenced in the tenth century under the reign of 

 Edgar, and appears to have succeeded in the thir- 

 teenth century, during the reign of Edward I., as no 

 historical mention is made of any royal edict, sub- 

 sequently to that period, to promote their destruc- 

 tion. The last record of their existence in any 

 formidable numbers was in 1281. It is said by Mr. 

 Topham, in his notes to SomervihVs ' Chace,' that 



it was in the wolds of Yorkshire where a price was 

 last set upon a wolfs head. In Scotland and Ireland 

 the wolf remained for a considerable period longer. 

 In 1577, according to Hollinshed, these animals 

 were destructive to the flocks in Scotland, and in 

 Ireland they were exterminated only at the begin- 

 ning of the last century. 



In almost every department of France infested 

 by the wolf there is a society called Societe 

 de Louveterie, the object of which is to keep that 

 animal down ; and premiums, varying in the amount 

 according to the sex and age of the animals killed, 

 are likewise paid. The means hitherto employed, 

 however, have been inadequate to effect the pur- 

 pose. 



In Poland wolves are numerous and formidable ; 

 and they increased especially in the years from 1807 

 to 1815, in the province of Posen, after its separa- 

 tion from Prussia. In 1 814 three grown persons and 

 sixteen children were devoured by them in the small 

 circle of Wongrowiec alone. When Prussia re- 

 gained the province of Posen in 1815, no time was 

 lost by the government in getting rid of so great a 

 public nuisance ; and in that province within five 

 years, from 1815 to 1819 inclusive, 4618 dollars were 

 paid by the government in rewards for killing 

 wolves. Latterly wolves have again increased in 

 that province ; for the use of fire-arms having been 

 in a great measure prohibited in Poland after the 

 Revolution, these animals are rapidly multiplying 

 there, and invade the neighbouring territories. 



In the parish of Briala, district of Rawa, during 

 the month of August, 1837, four girls were torn to 

 pieces not far from their own houses. What must 

 these animals be in winter, when even in summer 

 they are thus daring ! 



Mr. Lloyd, in his ' Field-Sports in the North of 

 Europe,' relates many narratives respecting these 

 animals; it would appear that they are less dan- 

 gerous to man than might be expected, though 

 they sometimes, especially when combined in troops, 

 attack travellers with great audacity. A gentle- 

 man attached to the embassy of St. Petersburgh, says 

 Mr. Lloyd, related to me the following circum- 

 stance : — " It happened, at no great distance from St. 

 Petersburgh, and only two years previously, a pea- 

 sant, when one day in his sledge, was pursued by 

 eleven of these ferocious animals. At this time he 

 was only about two miles from home, towards which 

 he urged his horse at the very top of his speed. At 

 the entrance of his residence was a gate, which hap- 

 pened to be closed at the time ; but the horse 

 dashed this open, and thus himself and his master 

 found refuge in the court-yard. They were fol- 

 lowed, however, by nine out of the eleven wolves ; 

 but very fortunately, at the very instant these had 

 entered the enclosure, the gate swung back on its 

 hinges, and thus they were caught as in a trap. 

 From being the most ferocious of animals, the na- 

 ture of these beasts, now that they found escape 

 impossible, became completely changed : so far, 

 indeed, from offering molestation to any one, they 

 slunk into holes and corners, and allowed them- 

 selves to be slaughtered almost without making 

 resistance." In the government of Livonia in Rus- 

 sia, a district of about two hundred and fifty miles 

 long and one hundred and fifty broad, the following 

 animals were, according to official reports, destroyed 

 by wolves in 1822 :— horses, 1841; fowls, 1243; 

 cattle, 1807; calves, 733; sheep, 15,182; lambs, 

 726; goats, 2545; kids, 183; swine, 4190; young 

 pigs, 312; clogs, 703; geese, 673. 



Desmarest says that the wolf is solitary and noc- 

 turnal, but that in winter it unites in troops, which 

 attack horses and men. The sense of smell is very 

 acute, but its speed is not very great, and it wearies 

 out its victim by dint of untiring perseverance. 

 When in full chase of its prey, it gallops along, per- 

 tinaciously following the track of the fugitive. The 

 description of a troop of wolves in pursuit is admi- 

 rably described by Lord Byron in his poem of 

 ' Mazeppa :' — 



" We rustled through the leaves like wind, 

 Left shrubs and trees and wolves behind; 

 By night I heard them on the track, 

 Their troop came hard upon our back. 

 With their long gallop, which can tire 

 The hound's deep hate and hunter's fire ; 

 Where'er we flew they followed on, 

 Nor left us with the morning sun. 

 Behind I saw them scarce a rood 

 At daybreak winding through tiie wood, 

 And through the night had heard their 1'eet 

 Their stealing rustling step repeat," 



From the numerous allusions to the wolf in the 

 Scriptures, it is evident that it must have been well 

 known formerly in Syria — and indeed also in Egypt, 

 for we find it figured on ancient sculptures, together 

 with the hyaena and greyhound. (Fig. 912.) At 

 present, however, this animal is seldom met with 

 in Syria, although it still exists in that region, but 

 keeps itself concealed. 



So habitually cautious and suspicious is the wolf, 

 that it is difficult to take it in traps, and for the same 

 reason anything like the appearance of artifice deters 



it from an attack. Tig. 913.) It fias been sup- 

 posed the wolf never carries his tail elevated, but 

 this is not altogether correct ; we have often 

 watched the wolves in the Zoological Gardens 

 gallop round the enclosure with the tail raised up 

 as it is when the animals are in chase of prey ; and. 

 also, as Dr. Richardson states from observation, 

 when they gambol with each other. 



When pursued the wolf rushes along, with his 

 muzzle almost to the ground, his eyes like glowing 

 fire, the hair of his neck and shoulders erect, and 

 his tail lowered and drawn close ; when out of 

 danger, he slackens his pace, raises his head, sniffs 

 about, and whisks his tail around, as if exulting in 

 his escape; but if brought to bay by hounds, he 

 defends himself to the last, and often kills and 

 maims some of his antagonists before he falls over- 

 powered by numbers. (Fig. 914.) The Kirghese 

 Tartars employ a large hawk in the chase, which 

 fastens upon the animal's' head, and tears its eves. 

 (Fig. 902.) J 



Fierce as the wolf is, like the hyaena it can be 

 tamed and even domesticated, but they require to 

 be taken very young. M. F, Cuvier gives a very 

 interesting account of a tame wolf, which showed 

 all the affection that the most gentle dog could 

 evince towards its master. When full-grown, he 

 was presented by his owner to the menagerie at 

 Paris. For many weeks he was quite disconsolate 

 at the separation from his master, who had been 

 obliged to travel ; he would scarcely take any food, 

 and was indifferent to his keepers. At length he 

 became attached to those about him, and he seemed 

 to have forgotten his old affections. His master 

 returned after an absence of eighteen months ; the 

 wolf heard his voice amidst the crowd in the gardens 

 of the menagerie, and, being set at liberty, displayed 

 the most violent joy. Again was he separated from 

 his friend ; and again was his grief as extreme as 

 on the first occasion. After three years' absence, 

 his master once more returned. It was evening, 

 and the wolfs den was shut up from any external 

 observations ; yet the instant the man's voice was 

 heard, the faithful animal set up the most anxious 

 cries; and the door of his cage being open, he 

 rushed towards his friend, leaped upon his shoulders, 

 licked his face, and threatened to bite his keepers 

 when they attempted to separate them. When the 

 man left him, he fell sick, and refused all food ; and 

 from the time of his recovery," which was long very 

 doubtful, it was always dangerous for a stranger to 

 approach him. He appeared as if he scorned any 

 new friendships. 



Other instances of domestication are on record, 

 and, indeed, from our own personal experience, we' 

 hesitate not to state that the wolf may be completely 

 reclaimed — more so than the Australian dingo. 



The power of the wolf, especially in the muscles 

 of the head, neck, and shoulders, is immense ; and 

 his bite is terribly severe, generally cutting out the 

 flesh with a snap. Among themselves they fight 

 often with great desperation, the combat ending 

 with the death of the weaker. It is said that wolves 

 wounded by the gunshot of hunters or travellers are 

 torn in pieces and devoured by their fellows. 



The average height of the wolf at the shoulders 

 is about two feet six inches; the female rears her 

 young in some cave or gloomy recess, and produces 

 from five to nine young at a birth. These are born 

 with the eyes closed, as in the dog. In the defence 

 of her offspring the female is furious, and greatly to 

 be dreaded. The voice of the wolf is a prolonged 

 howl, resounding dismally through the stilly dark- 

 ness of the night. 



On the southern side of the Pyrenees there exists 

 a variety perhaps of the wolf, termed, from its co- 

 lour, the Black Wolf (Canis Lycaon, Linn.), the 

 Loup noir of Buffon. These animals are asserted to 

 be more ferocious than the ordinary grey wolf, but 

 perhaps without any foundation. 



The common wolf of North America differs in 

 some respects from its European relative, and is 

 perhaps a distinct species. It wants the gaunt 

 appearance, the comparatively long jaw and taper- 

 ing nose, the high ears, long legs, slender loins, and 

 narrow feet of the European wolf- Its frame also is 

 more compact, the fur finer and thicker, the muzzle 

 more obtuse, the head larger and rounder, and the 

 forehead broader and more arched : the limbs are 

 shorter, and the tail more fox-like and bushy. 



Dr. Richardson, in his ' Fauna Boreali-Americana 

 enumerates several varieties of this North American 

 wolf, depending on colour, viz., the grey, the white, 

 the pied, the dusky or clouded, and the black! 

 Black wolves abound on the Missouri, and, according 

 to the Indians, black and grey wolves occur in the 

 same litter. The dusky or clouded wolf was regarded 

 by Say as a distinct species, and named by him 

 Canis nubilus. (Fig. 915.) 



The American Wolf agrees in its general habits 

 with the wolf of our Continent, though it appears to 

 be less formidably as far as man is concerned. In- 

 deed Captain Lyon's, in his observations on the wolves 



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