18 



MAMMALOGY. 



As we have said above, Dr. Townsend's specimens are the larger, 

 but they preserve precisely the characters of those in the collection of 

 the Expedition. All naturalists, except Mr. Peale, who have seen 

 this animal in its native wilds, coincide in the conclusion that it is a 

 species entirely distinct from the common Wolf of North America. 



2. Lupus occidentalis (BicJiardson). — The Common Wolf of 



North America. 



Catiis hipus occidentalis, Rich. Faun. Bor. Am. 3Iamm. p. GO (1829). 



Atlas, Mammalogy, Plate III, Fig. 2. Adult. 



This well-known species is frequently alluded to by the naturalists 

 of the Expedition, as occurring at various points in Oregon and Cali- 

 fornia. It apparently inhabits the whole of the temperate regions of 

 North America. Though, like its congener of the old world, present- 

 ing much variety in color, no reliable characters of more than one 

 species appear to have been determined by naturalists. 



In color and general appearance this wolf much resembles the pre- 

 ceding, the most obvious difference being the greater size of the latter. 



The relative size of the two species may be readily perceived from 

 the cuts of the crania here given. 



CRAXIUM OF LUPUS GIGAS. 



CRANIUM OF LUPUS OCCIDENTALIS. 



