CARNIVORA. 
187 
attack most animals ; which, however, it is observed 
to do, if possible, not face to face, but by surprise. 
It is a great glutton, and may almost be called om- 
nivorous. It will feed on carrion, which it is able to 
smell at a great distance. It is a solitary animal, 
and only leaves its hiding place in the forest during 
the night ; but has sagacity enough to unite itself 
with others of its species during the severity of 
winter; and, while its more ordinary prey is scarce, 
will attack in packs horses or the largest quad- 
rupeds, and sometimes men. The wolf lives from 
fifteen to twenty years. Although apparently a 
natural enemy of the dog, there are many instances 
known of an offspring produced between them, which, 
unlike hybrid animals, generates with either species. 
A species is mentioned as distinct, which is found in 
Java, but it seems to accord very much with the 
common wolf ; and the same may be observed of the 
Mexican wolf of Hernandez. 
The voracity and savage nature of this beast have 
not only been very energetically described by na- 
turalists, but have afforded a theme to poets of al- 
most all ages. 
By wintry famine rous’d, from all the tract 
Of horrid mountains, which the shining Alps, 
And waving Apennines, and Pyrenees, 
Branch out stupendous into distant lands ; 
Cruel as death, and hungry as the grave ! 
Burning for blood ! bony, and gaunt, and grim ! 
Assembling wolves in raging troops descend ; 
And, pouring o’er the country, bear along. 
Keen as the north wind sweeps the glossy snow. 
