WOLF. 
179 
them by converting the tax of gold and silver which 
the Welsh used to pay him, into an annual tribute 
of three hundred wolves’ heads. This, however, 
failed of the desired effect ; for, some centuries 
afterwards, Edward the First commanded them to 
be destroyed in the several counties of Gloucester, 
Worcester, Hereford, Salop, and Stafford ; and if 
we look back to the reign of Athelstan, we shall 
find the wolves so formidable in Yorkshire that it 
was thought necessary to build a retreat at Flixton 
in that county, to defend passengers from the wolves , 
that they should not be devoured by them. In the 
year 168O, the famous Sir Ewan Cameron killed 
one of these animals in Scotland; which is supposed 
to have been the last that remained in the country, 
as Mr. Pennant has since travelled through every 
part of it, without being able to learn that there re- 
mained even the memory of those animals among 
the oldest people. 
The female wolves bring forth their young in the 
most retired parts of the forest, where they search 
for a concealed spot, and make it smooth and even 
by cutting and tearing up all the brambles with 
their teeth. When the place is properly prepared, 
they bring great quantities of moss and make a 
commodious bed for their young. They generally 
bring forth five or six at a time ; sometimes eight 
or nine, but never less than three. They are born 
blind, like the dogs, and, after being suckled for 
some weeks, are taught by the mother to eat flesh, 
which she prepares for them by tearing it into 
