File:Image from page 83 of "Natural history" (1897) (20121408824).jpg

Title: Natural history Identifier: cu31924001567506 Year: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookyear1897">1897</a> (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookdecade1890">1890s</a>) Authors: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorLydekker_Richard_1849_1915">Lydekker, Richard, 1849-1915</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorKirby_W_F_William_Forsell_1844_1912">Kirby, W. F. (William Forsell), 1844-1912</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorWoodward_Bernard_Barham_1853_1930">Woodward, Bernard Barham, 1853-1930</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorKirkpatrick_R_Randolph_b_1863">Kirkpatrick, R. (Randolph), b. 1863</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorPocock_R_I_Reginald_Innes_1863_1947">Pocock, R. I. (Reginald Innes), 1863-1947</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorSharpe_Richard_Bowdler_1847_1909">Sharpe, Richard Bowdler, 1847-1909</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorGarstang_Walter_1868_1949">Garstang, Walter, 1868-1949</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorBather_Francis_Arthur_1863_1934">Bather, Francis Arthur, 1863-1934</a>; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookauthorBernard_Henry_Meyners">Bernard, Henry Meyners</a> Subjects: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=booksubjectZoology">Zoology</a> Publisher: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookpublisherNew_York_D_Appleton_and_company">New York, D. Appleton and company</a> Contributing Library: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=bookcontributorCornell_University_Library">Cornell University Library</a> Digitizing Sponsor: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?tags=booksponsorMSN">MSN</a>

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Text Appearing Before Image: 64 MAMMALIA—ORDER IV.—CARNIVORA.

Text Appearing After Image: the postorbital process of the frontal bone, that is to say the one forming the hinder boundary of the socket of the eye, has its superior surface smooth and convex, and its free extremity bent downwards. Wolf-like Series. In this group the wolves are the largest wild representa- tives ; the common wolf (C. Inpns) ranging over the northern portions of both the Old and New Worlds. There are no wolves either in Africa or South America, although it is curious that the so-called Antarctic wolf (C. antarctkus) of the Falkfand Islands appears to belong to the group. In Asia there are several wolves, although none are found in the countries to the east and south-east of the Bay of Bengal, and there is some difference of opinion as to their relationship to the common wolf. With regard to the wolf inhabiting the plains of India, most persons not specially versed in the mysteries of zoology would probably be unable to distinguish it from its European cousin, un- less specimens were placed side by side, and even then would find some difficulty. It appears, how- ever, that there are certain differ- ences in the habits of the two animals, which suggest the pro- bability of their specific distinct- ness from one another. For in- stance, the Indian wolf is re- markable for its silence, only very rarely, if ever, uttering the well- known howl of the common species ; although it is stated that it will occasionally bark, after the manner of a pariah dog. Then, again, Indian wolves, although sometimes found in small family parties of half-a-dozen or so, are never known to collect in the enormous packs which make the European species so dreaded in winter. It is probable that these differences in habits would not by themselves alone be regarded as sufficient to establish the right of the Indian wolf to rank as a distinct species. When, however, it is found that there are in addition certain points by which the two animals can be distinguished from one another, these differences in habits become of importance in adding to their distinctness. The Indian wolf is, indeed, a somewhat smaller and slighter animal than the European species, the average difference in the length of the two animals being about si.x: inches. Then, also, the hair is rather shorter, and there is little or no under-fur; while the colour is generally rather more inclined to brown than in the common wolf. The absence of under-fur in the Indian wolf might, we think, be well explained by the hotter climate in which it dwells ; but, in spite of this, naturalists are probably right in regarding it as a distinct species, under the name of Canis palli/ies. The Indian wolf does not range into the Himalaya, neitlier is it found to the westward of the Indus, or in Ceylon. That island seems, indeed, to enjoy a happy immunity from the presence of several of the larger Indian Carnivora, as it has neither wolves, wild dogs, hyenas nor tigers. In the case of the tiger it has been attempted to account for this absence by tlie sugges- tion tnat this animal is but a comparatively recent immigrant into India from Fig. 39.—CojMMOS Wolf.

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