WOLF
.—The wolf, although not now to be found among us, was once a very destructive native of this country, and the whole were ultimately destroyed by mandate from the Crown. Naturalists universally agree in an opinion, that the wolf and dog were originally of the same class; and argue, from its external form, that it is in every respect what the dog was in its natural state of freedom. Although completely annihilated in this country, they are to be found in great abundance in every other, from whence they are speculatively imported, and may be seen in the menageries of those by whom they are established for the sole purpose of public exhibition. In respect to the degree of similitude between the two, impartial inspection must admit the perceptible shades of difference: the shape of the head differs materially; and the eyes being more obliquely seated, affords an aspect of the most savage ferocity. The ears of the wolf are sharp and erect; the tail long, bushy, and bending inwards from its hind legs; its body is of stronger formation than the body of any species of dog; its jaws and teeth evidently larger, and more powerful; and its hair both coarser and thicker. The internal structure of the dog and wolf is precisely the same in every particular; the latter copulate in the same manner, and their sudden separation prevented by the same means. The time of gestation also varies but little, if any; and, from the various experiments recited by the late celebrated Dr. Hunter, there is left no room to doubt, that the wolf and dog will copulate, and produce an intermediate species, capable of subsequent propagation.
In all ages, the wolf has been considered the most savage enemy of mankind; and at most times, and in all countries, rewards have been offered for its destruction. When pressed with hunger, from repeated disappointments, the wolf becomes doubly courageous from necessity; braves every danger, and will attack the very animals under the protection of the human species. The horse alone seems to possess the power of superiority; all inferior animals have no alternative to unconditional submission, and inevitable destruction. Even man himself has frequently fallen a victim to its rapacity; and it is said, upon the best authorities, that when once they have feasted upon human blood, they become the more incessantly rapacious in the pursuit of it. The wolf, from his muscular strength, is enabled to carry off a sheep in his mouth, and even run with it in that manner: his bite is dreadfully severe, and the keener, the less it meets with opposition; but when powerfully refilled, he is exceedingly cautious and circumspect, never fighting when nearly upon an equality, but under the most absolute necessity. The wolf is hardier, and more robust, than the dog, but less alive to the powers of intellectual discrimination: he is almost incessantly prowling in search of prey, and is himself, of all animals, the most difficult to conquer in the chase.
Every possible means were adopted, many centuries since, to rid this country of so rapacious a despoiler. King Edgar attempted to effect it in England, by remitting the punishment of certain crimes on producing a certain number of wolves' tongues: and in Wales, the tax of gold and silver was commuted for an annual tribute of their heads. Some centuries after which, they had increased to such a destructive infinity, as to become again an object of royal attention, and great rewards were once more held forth for their destruction. Edward the First issued his royal mandate to Peter Corbet, to superintend and assist in the destruction of them in the several counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Hereford, Salop, and Stafford. In other counties, certain persons held their lands upon condition of hunting, taking, and destroying, a number of wolves annually, in proportion to the quantity of land so held. They were so numerous in Scotland about the middle of the fifteenth century, that they completely overrun the country, to the incessant destruction of the flocks, and the immense losses of the community; nor were they, with every indefatigable exertion of the natives, extirpated till the year 1680, when the last wolf is recorded to have fallen by the hand of the then famous Sir Ewen Cameron. Ireland in those times suffered by their immense numbers in an equal degree with England, Scotland, and Wales, and for a much longer duration, as they were not perfectly annihilated in that country till the earlier part of the last century.