NATURAL HISTORY. a 
pale brown colour, tinged with yellow; though in 
Canada, itis found both black and white. ‘he prin- 
cipal feature which diftinguithes its vifage from that of 
the dog is, thatits eyes, which are fierce and fiery, 
flant upwards, in'direction with the nofe. 
_ ‘Yhough fo near in refemblance to the dog, his na- 
ture is entirely different, poffeffing all his ill qualities, 
without preferving any of the good ones, Thefe ani- 
mals entertain fuch a natural hatred to each other, 
that they never mect without fighting or retreating. 
_Ttthe wolf provesvittcrious, hedevours hisprey; but 
the deg, more generous, is content with victory. 
They are naturally cruel and cowardly ; and will 
fy the prefence of man, unlefs preffed by hunger, 
when they prowl by night, in vaft droves, deftroying 
any perfons they meet ; and fuch is their predilection 
for human flefh, that, when they have once tafted it, 
they ever after attack the fhepherd in preierence to 
his flock. . 
The wolf, of all beafts, has the moft rapaciousappe- 
tite for animal flefh, which naturehas furnifhed it with 
various methodsof gratifying; notwithftanding which, 
it moft generally dies of hunger; which is eafily ac- 
counted for, when we confider its long proicription, 
together with the reward formerly offercd forits head, 
which obliged it to fy from human habitation, and 
feek refuge in woods and forefts. ar 
Wolveswere fo numerous in Yorkfhiré, in the reign 
of Athelftan, that it was found neceflaryo build a 
retreat at Flixton, to defend paffengers from their 
ferocity. In France, Spain and, italy, they are ftill . 
reatly infefted with this animal. They are alfo to 
Be found in Afia, Africa and America; but not’ fo 
high as the Arétic Circle. . aren 
~The female goes about fourteen weeks with young, 
and brings from five to nine at a litter, 
i 2 
E 
