186 
CARNIVORA. 
sequence much bluntedj and incapable of fastening 
on their prey. 
This genus is wonderfully extended over the sur- 
face of the Earthy as no country is known now to 
be without dogs, except some of the islands in the 
Pacific Ocean. 
The genus is arranged in two principal divisions ; 
the first of which is distinguished by the pupil of the 
eye being circular ; and the second, which includes 
the foxes only, has the pupil elongated. 
THE COMMON WOLF. LE LOUP. 
Canis Lupus* 
This is a large species, and measures about four 
feet in length. The colour is dark gray, with a 
yellowish tinge, and with a blackish band on the 
forelegs. The tail is carried straight. As the wolf 
grows old, its fur becomes whiter ; and individuals 
are found, sometimes, of all ages, nearly white. 
Those met with in high latitudes, also, seem to 
change their more ordinary colour for white during 
their long winter. The wolf is the most extensively 
mischievous of all the carnivorous animals found in 
Europe, and inhabits every part of that continent, 
but more particularly where there are forests. It 
seems to have passed also into America. It will 
