262 
THE WOLF. 
with the bear entered into battle with him. The fight terminated in favor of the bear ; but not 
without much exertion and great danger to both parties, as was proved by the quantity of bear 
and Wolf fur that lay scattered about the scene of combat. So severely had the bear been 
treated that his fur was found to be quite useless when he was killed by the hunters a few 
days after the conflict. 
This is not a solitary example of a fight between bears and Wolves, as the same author 
mentions a similar combat, which would apparently have had a different result. The bear had 
' retreated to a large tree ; and, standing with his back against the trunk, boldly faced his 
antagonists, and for some time kept them at bay. At last, however, some of the Wolves crept 
round the tree, and seizing him unexpectedly in the flank, inflicted such severe wounds that 
he would soon have fallen a victim to their ferocity had not they been put to flight by the 
approach of some men. 
It is by no means nice in its palate, and will eat almost any living animal, — from human 
beings down to frogs, lizards, and insects. Moreover, it is a sad cannibal, and is thought by 
several travellers who have noted its habits to be especially partial to the flesh of its own kind. 
A weak, sickly, or wounded Wolf is sure to fall under the cruel teeth of its companions ; who 
are said to be so fearfully ravenous that if one of their companions should chance to besmear 
himself with the blood of the prey which has just been hunted down, he is instantly attacked 
and devoured by the remainder of the pack. 
In their hunting expeditions the Wolves usually unite in bands, larger or smaller in 
number, according to circumstances, and acting simultaneouly for a settled purpose. If they 
are on the trail of a flying animal, the footsteps of their prey are followed up by one or two of 
the W olves, while the remainder of the band take up their position to the right and left of the 
leaders, so as to intercept the quarry if it should attempt to turn from its course. Woe be to 
any animal that is unlucky enough to be chased by a pack of Wolves. No matter how swift 
it may be, it will most surely be overtaken at last by the long, slouching, tireless gallop of the 
Wolves ; and no matter what may be its strength, it must at last fail under the repeated and 
constant attacks of the sharp teeth. 
There is something remarkable about the bite of a Wolf. Instead of making its teeth 
meet in the flesh of its antagonist, and then maintaining its hold, as is done by most of the 
carnivora, the Wolf snaps sharply, fiercely, and repeatedly at its opponent or its quarry ; 
delivering these attacks with such furious energy that when it misses its mark its jaws clash 
together with a sound that has been likened to the sudden closing of a steel-trap. These 
sharply snapping bites, so rapidly delivered, are of terrible efficacy in destroying an enemy, or 
bringing down the prey. 
Putting aside the differences that exist between the feline and the canine dentition, the 
general character of the whole form is worthy of notice, and points out the creature as belong- 
ing to the group of carnivorous animals which obtains its prey by running it down in a lengthy 
chase, rather than to those predaceous animals which destroy their prey by a single powerful 
spring. The limbs are larger in proportion than those of the lion, and the bones are more 
slenderly made. The head and neck are very differently formed. Those of the lion are intended 
to serve the purpose of an animal which leaps upon its prey, fixes its teeth in the flesh of 
its quarry, and there hangs until it has destroyed its prey ; but the corresponding portions of 
the Wolfs anatomy belong evidently to an animal which is not intended by nature to exert the 
clinging hold of the cat tribe, but to overtake its prey by fair chase, to run, and to bite. 
The sharp teeth with which the Wolf is furnished are strong enough to cut their way 
through substances which might be thought impervious to teeth. A hungry Wolf will devour 
a raw hide with enviable ease, and, when hard pressed by its unsatisfied appetite, has often 
been known to make a meal on thick leather traces that had been left unguarded for a few 
minutes. 
Bold as is the Wolf in ordinary circumstances, it is one of the most suspicious animals in 
existence, and is infected with the most abject terror at the sight of any object to which its 
eyes, nose, or ears are unaccustomed. 
Very fortunately for the hunters, this excess of caution on the part of the Wolf is the 
