1867.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
319 
The American Gray "Wolf 
a 5- 
Tlris is the wolf of the exciting tales of our 
childhood, the destroyer of sheep and calves of 
the frontier settler; the wolf which followed be- 
nighted or snow-bewildered travelers in the old 
colony times. Moreover, it is the "White "Wolf 
of the north-western border, the Black "Wolf 
and the Red Wolf 
of the South, the 
Dusky "Wolf of the 
"West, etc. The ten- 
dency of the spe- 
cies to vary is re- 
markable, and the 
common European 
and Asiatic wolves 
are by some natur- 
alists considered, 
we believe, as be- 
longing to the same 
species. The Dog 
closely resembles 
the "Wolf in some of 
its varieties, and 
these species have 
been very closely 
studied by natural- 
ists, with the result 
that they are unde- 
cided as to whether 
the dog is a tamed 
wolf or not. Some 
claim that the dog 
is a distinct spe- 
cies ; others, that certain varieties of the dog are 
descended from wolves, while other varieties 
sprung from the jackals of Asia. Certain it is that 
wolves and dogs, and jackals and dogs, will 
breed together, and their progeny will be fertile 
with either of the parent species, and, we be- 
lieve, after the first generation, among them- 
selves. It is said that the northern Indians are in 
the habit of cross- 
ing their sledge 
dogs with wolves, 
to gain strength 
and fleetness. — The 
picture which ac- 
companies this ar- 
ticle is the portrait 
of a fine animal in 
the possession of a 
gentleman of Man- 
chester, N. H., 
drawn upon the 
wood by Herrick. 
We know of no 
other engraving of 
the Gray "Wolf 
equal to it. It ex- 
hibits all the prom- 
inent peculiarities 
of the animal so 
accurately, that a 
further description 
on our part seems 
unnecessary. Still 
we must call atten- 
tion to the general 
gauntness so char- 
acteristic of wolves, the sharp, snappish muzzle. 
the convexity of the forehead, the wicked, ob- 
lique-set eye, the erect, pointed ears, the power- 
ful muscular development of the forequarters, the 
protection furnished to the throat and neck, (per- 
haps the wolfs and dog's most vulnerable part,) 
by the length and abundance of the hair, and. 
lastly, to the drooping of the tail, which char- 
acter is the only one which will enable an un- 
scientific observer to decide at sight between 
wolves and dogs ; for the tails of all dogs have 
a greater or less tendency to curl up. 
The Latin name of the European Wolf is Cants 
lupus, that of the American "Wolf Cants occkUn- 
talis; the Dog is Cam's familiar's, and the best 
the American grat wolf. — (Canis occidentalis.) 
known of the oriental Jackals, is Canis aureus. 
"Wolves are no longer the terror of farmers 
over a large part of the older States. They still 
exist in the densely wooded mountain ranges, 
and in general wherever deer are found, as 
these form their principal food. They were 
formerly so numerous as to warrant the high 
bounties, amounting often to $15 or §20 each, 
GROUP OF MEADOW Mil E, 
offered by States, counties, and towns, for their 
heads. The usual size of the wolf is 3 3 | t to 4'| i 
feet from nose to tail, which is 17 to 20 inches long. 
The female has -1 to 9 whelps at a birth in the 
spring, and conceals them so thoroughly in holes 
and borrows that it is very difficult to get at 
them; Where wolves are abundant, the; huut 
in packs, seldom attacking man or animals that 
will resist them when single ; but when pressed 
by hunger, they are rendered savage and fear- 
less, and at those times devour any animal they 
can master, singly, or by overpowering num- 
bers. The weaker ones of their own pack are 
often victims of the ravenous appetite of the 
rest. Their traits of character are maliciousness, 
cowardice, treach- 
erousness. They are 
often so overcome 
by abject fear, that, 
when taken in situ- 
ations which they 
consider hopeless, 
they will allow 
themselves to be 
handled freely, and 
killed like sheep. 
Hunters have been 
known to jump 
without harm into 
pits containing sev- 
eral wolves, seize 
them by the hind 
legs, and throw 
them out to have 
their throats cut by 
their companions. 
Meadow Mice, 
These little ani- 
mals, of which we 
give an engraving, 
are familiar to most of our readers, and uni- 
versally regarded as enemies of the farmer. 
"We know of no plea to set up for their defense ; 
they destroy very considerable quantities of 
grain and grass seed, frequently penetrating the 
granary, and taking up their abode in barns. 
They are often pressed for food in winter, and 
gnaw the bark of young trees, especially if they 
gain easy access to 
them beneath the 
snow. "When nu- 
merous during the 
winter, they often 
cause a very serious 
damage to the grass 
crop by eating the 
roots. We believe 
they cat grubs and 
insects when press- 
ed by hunger, but 
not from choice. 
The largest of the 
group represents a 
very beautiful and 
long haired variety 
of the meadow 
mouse, two-thirds 
the natural length. 
The fur is dark- 
brown above and 
ashy beneath, very 
long and soft — 
whence it is called 
the Beaver mouse — 
arid the cars, which 
are very delicate 
and membraneous, but not very small, are almost 
entirely concealed. These mice are 5 to 5'| a 
inches long, and the tail less than half that 
length. The one on the left, the common mead- 
ow mouse, (Aroiaola rtyaria,) is usually found 
in moist meadows throughout the northern 
Stales. It i ; l-vwny and very glossy above, and 
