The BLACK WOLF.

 

            I Describe this animal only as a supplement to the article Wolf; for both, I am persuaded, belong to the same species.  In the history of the wolf,+ it was remarked, that, in the north of Europe, there are some wolves which are white, and others black, and that the black kind are the largest.  The wolf represented in the Plate was brought from Canada.  It was totally black, but smaller than our wolf:  Its ears were somewhat larger, more erect, and at a greater distance from each other.  The eyes were likewise a little smaller, and appeared to be more distant from one another, than in the common wolf.  These differences, in my opinion, are too inconsiderable to constitute a distinct species.  The greatest difference is that of the size.  But, as I have oftener than once remarked, all the animals common to the northern parts of Europe and America differ in size; and the black wolf of Canada being smaller than those of Europe, only tends to confirm the general fact.  Besides, as he had been taken when very young, and ever afterwards confined with a chain, constraint alone was perhaps sufficient to prevent [212] [PLATE LXIV here] [PLATE LXV here] him from acquiring his full growth.  The common wolf is also smaller, and less numerous in Canada than in Europe, and the savages esteem it for its skin.*  The black wolf, the lynx, and the fox, are very numerous in North America; and yet the flack fox is very rare, and his skin is much more beautiful than that of the black wolf, which makes but a very coarse fur.

 

            I shall only add, that this black wolf resembled the common wolf, both in figure and dispositions; for he became only rapacious with age, and, like the wolf, he was ferocious without courage. [213]  

Notes

 

+  See above, p. 207 [This is the first and only note on this page.  The printer departed from usual practice here and used the “plus” sign rather than the “asterisk” sign to designate the first note.  Back to page 212].

 

*  Voyages de Sagard Theodat, p. 307 [back to page 213].