The National tribune., 1889-11-28

are all felines also; still there are differences
between these groups in their modes Of loco
nation. and consequently Ia the character OF
their limbs. These members among the Canide
are adapted to running rather than springing,
aud are longer and more free than is the case
with those of cats. In all species, also, the
caVices are rudimentary, aud the claws
not Tetractie. Structural characters likewise
remain remarkably constant throughout the
Canide, although the range Of variation with
in specific limits is somewhat extensive. so that
certain naturalists-as Prof Huxley, for ex-
ample-suppose il to be possible to arrange its
forms in a complete series. The canine head,
however, which differs greatly from the feline
cranium, is quite dissimilar in various species,
and these opposite orders of facts very cOnsid-
erably increase the difficulties of classification.
This family is divided into dog-like (Tho-oid)
aud
ALoPECOID, OR woLF-LIKE ANIMALS,
while connected with the former group there
is little gray, black tailed South African
creature, the otocyoD, whose generalization Of
structure places it between the dogs and rae
coOns
These statements contain, perhaps, as much
of the descriptive zoology of the family as is
necessary TO the comprehension of that general
type to which the species hereafter 10 be con-
sidered belong.
The wild dog. which is itself different, and
bears different names both in cOlloquial and
scientific phraseology in different countries,
has been, so far as its habits aud general char
acter are concerned, very cursorily described in
most of the localities of its widespread geo
graphical distribution. There is good deal of
literature concerning the kuOn Tutilans Of In
dia less upon the subject of its allies in other
parts of Asia and in Africa and for the most
part but scattered accounts of those specimens
which are found elsewhere. There are several
4 -
Guiana, Darwin says that the Arawak Indians
habitually cross the domesticated and feral
animals for the purpose Of improving the breed.
while according To DIR. Kane, the same thing
is done by EskimOs with the dog and wolf
But although such facts are given, both the
wild dog of South America proper and the par
TALLY reclaimed wolf Of the north. as DR..
Hayes aud Lamare- Picquot term it, are but
little known, except In the most obvious traits
OF their characters. There would be, Of course.
but little difficulty Ia filling up considerable
space with detached notices Of half-wiid dogs
OF many kinds, but independently Of the fact
that these may be just as much wolves jackals,
or coyotes as dogs according % their situation.
| such A contribution wOuld DC little more inter
esting than descriptive catalog of az tbs truly
ferai species 0f this kiRd known g. natural bis
| tory, aud wo will therefore turn o. the better.
observed aud more fuily-described natives OF
l India Dir JcFdou's account Of this creature i
/ as follows. The length OF its head aud body be
| estimates at from b o. IS inches. that or its
I tail at about 10 aud IL stands at the shoulder
Y from II % ID inches In hight. Ia general the
/ coat Is of "bri ght, rusty rcd or Tuf0us ftwu
color" 10 has somewhat large, erect ears,
/ rounded at the tip; its tail is bushy. aud
reaches 20 the heels, aud j. usually tipped with
| black The limbs are powerful. the body is
| rather elongated, aud the animal possesses a
strong Jaw, very effective cutting teeth aud
fangs. great speed and endurance, and remark
able astuteness. kuOn Tutilans is also social in
| its habits.
LIKE THE INDIAN WOLF,
| its eyes, whose pupils are round, become lumin-
| Gus at night it has tho fotid odor of the fox
and jackal, and according to both Jerdon and
Sanderson, it lives exclusively in the forests.
"The wild dog" says the latter writer, ranges
| through both heavy aud light forest, but $ ;
| is never seen in open country"
Hodgson, Hamilton Smith, Blyth and Jerdon
have discussed the question of the unity or
| diversity of the species in tho South Asiatic
| group without any absolutely decisive result
while the hunter naturalists. as usual, maintain
their different opinions in the manner of dog
matte theologians. However this matter of class
| ification may be, there seems to be little doubt
| of the migration of this creature since Elliot
| has demonstrated its recent appearance in the
| southern Mahratta country.
| Those who have observed the Wild dog OF Brit
ish India In its various habitats give US many in
teresting accounts of its mode of life. Col Mark
ham asserts that the Himalayan specimen is
undoubtedly the true wild dog, but its habits,
he says, /" are very littlo known" because these
| "render it difficult. indeed almost impossible
| to make close observations" The animal there,
as everywhere else, is social, and lives in packs
! which, without combining themselves to par
| ticular localities have breeding places" very
much resembling, from his description, the dog
towns" of America, or the badger r-burroWs OF
the Scottish Highlands st. John gives an
account Of COL Markharns persistent efforts tO
dig out their young failed, but he caught two OF
| three i'm snaTes set at tho entrance of their
| holes From the evidence furnished by animal
remains of several kinds that lay scattered
about in the vicinity, IL is his opinion that the
pack or certain members of il, drive game to
| these places and there kill il. The pups he
captured were " from three weeks % a month
old" They ate "fesh of any kind with the
utmost voraeity. but 10 took him some time "a
| induce them TO taste vegetable food. and they