251 
THE EXTINCT BRITISH WOLF. 
Br J. E. HARTING, F.L.S., F.Z.S. 
( Continued from p. 154.) 
Historical Evidence. — Scotland. 
I N a preceding page it was incidentally remarked that the wolf 
survived in Scotland to a much later date than was the case in 
England. The reason is pretty obvious. Long after the animal 
had been extirpated in England the condition of the country in 
North Britain remained eminently suited to its nature. Vast 
tracts of forest and moor, rugged and well-nigh impenetrable in 
parts, entire districts of unreclaimed and uncultivated land, the 
absence of roads, and the consequent difficulty of communication 
between scattered and thinly populated hamlets, long contributed 
to shelter the wolf not only from final extinction but from the 
incessant persecution which had driven it from the south. 
The aspect of the country in Scotland at the date to which 
we refer may be imagined from a remark of John Taylor, the 
Water Poet, who in 1618 travelled on foot from London to 
Edinburgh. When visiting Braemar, he says, u I was the 
space of twelve days before I saw either house, cornfield, or 
habitation of any creature, but deer, wild horses, wolves, and 
such like creatures, which made me doubt that I should never 
have seen a house again.” 
It must not be supposed, however, that the wolf at any 
time lived unmolested in Scotland. As the herdsman’s foe, it 
was always regarded as a beast to be pursued and killed when- 
ever and wherever practicable, and from the earliest times the 
chase of the wolf was considered by kings and nobles to be one 
of the most exciting and enjoyable of field-sports. 
We learn from Holinshed that Dorvadil, the fourth king of 
the Scots, “ set all his pleasure on hunting and keeping of 
houndes and greyhoundes, ordayning that every householder 
should find him two houndes and one greyhounde. If a hunter 
chanced in following the game to lose an eye or a limme, so 
that he were not able to helpe himselfe after that time, he made 
