The WOLF.
This animal bears a ſtrong reſemblance to the dog; it has a long head, a ſharp noſe, pointed and erect ears, a buſhy tail, hanging more between his legs than a dog’s generally does, long legs, and large ſharp teeth.
This animal abounds in every quarter of the earth, it inhabits large extenſive foreſts, frequently making incurſions on the campaign country in ſearch of prey; its food is ſuch animals as its ſuperior ſtrength can vanquiſh; lambs, calves, and ſheep, which he carries off with eaſe and agility; the muſcles of his neck are ſo ſtrong, that in running off with a large ſheep, it ſhall not trail on the ground. This animal is remarked for great cruelty; whenever he gets among a flock, he deſtroys with a wanton pleaſure all that come in his way, before he ſecures his particular prey. It is reported, if a Wolf once taſtes human fleſh, he ever after prefers it, and will ſeek it with great avidity and reſolution, and ſometimes attack the ſhepherd in preference to the flock. Troops of this deſtructive animal have been known to attend the march of an army, and with eager appetite devour the ſlain in battle, or ſuch as were ſuperficially interred:—in general, this animal purſues his prey alone, but when any great buſineſs is to be achieved, ſuch as to attack an ox, deer, or other large animal, they will aſſemble in numbers, and commit their depredations in comfort; but when the buſineſs is finiſhed, the aſſembly breaks up, and each retires to his hiding place. The ſcent of this animal is remarkably good, as he will wind his game at many miles diſtance. To hunt the wolf is eſteemed good ſport; dogs of great courage and ſpeed are requiſite, as they ſuſtain a long chaſe. When preſſed with hunger, which he long ſuſtains, if well ſupplied with water, this animal exerciſes great courage and cunning: The deſtructive properties of this animal make him every where obnoxious; two or three will cauſe a long and conſtant alarm to a whole country; enmity therefore between him and man is perpetual. England abounded with this ſcourge of rural life, till king Edgar reſpited the puniſhment of a criminal for a certain number of wolves’ tongues, and changed the tax of gold and ſilver paid by the Welch into an annual tribute of three-hundred wolves’ heads. King Edward I. entirely to extirpate them, appointed a ſuperintendant to aſſiſt in their deſtruction; which was not effected in Scotland till about the middle of the laſt century. The ſagacity of the wolf is ſo active, that, Scheffer reports, he will not attempt an animal, if a cord, or halter is round its neck, ſuſpecting a trap. The wolf is about the ſize of a large dog, or three feet and a half long, and two feet and a half high; colour a light brown, with a mixture of black and grey; has a penetrating eye of a grey colour, which adds a wild appearance to the ferocity of his countenance.
