Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-29
WOLVES AND HUGE HOUNDS.
Fierce and Shaggy Beasts Coming Fro
Russia for the Geological Garden.


Russia for the Geological Garden.
The collection Of animals for the new zoo is
growing at a most gratifying rate. the latest
addition-on paper-being that Of four re-
markable animals that win illustrate one phase
of the fauna Of Russia. These are two large
Russian wolves, male and female. and q pair of
immense Russian wolf hounds These animals
have been offered to the secretary Of the
States consul at Hull, England, who, under
date of March II, wrote as follows TO Prof.
Langley;
"A Rnssiap friend has kindly proffered me
his aid in obtaining for the national zoologi-
cal collection at Washington two big Russian
wolves, male and female, the most formidable
of all their species, and two Russian wolf
hounds, from q pack Of twenty-five couple Of
the best wolf hounds that Russia contains.
Some of them have cost 81 500 apiece and
the estimated value Of the pack is considerably
more than s20, 900.
HOUNDS HUGE AND FIERCE.
"Of these remarkable hounds, the most saw
age and powerful animals Of their kind in the
world, further description may be appreci-
ated. Their size is tremendous, as they stand
thirty-two inches at the shoulder and are there
fore five inches taller than the largest wolf
hounds Of Brittany. They have also stronger
jaws and are more tenacious in their bite than
any other hounds. Roach-bscked, with pro-
digiously deep girth and very long, muscular
quarters, they stand Arm On capital legs and
feet. A soft, silky coat, Of which the individual
hairs are somew hat far apart, covers them from
stem to STERN and their mission is to run their
four-legged quarry down in the course of mile
or less and then to seize him under the ear and
to hold on like grim death. II they relaxed
| their grip for half second the wolf, which is
quick as lightning and bites like steel trap,
would have them by the leg. and one such bite
is more than enough to disable any dog. So
| tenacious, however, is the hold Of the hound
that cases have been known in which he has al
lowed himself to be suffocated rather than relax
his grip. They are ready to fight with each
other on the slightest pretext. In the lodging
houses Of the kennels there is a room at each
end for a man, as it Is necessary to have
watchmen in attendance at all times, as the
wolf hounds are extremely quarrelsome and
terrible lighters.
HUNTING WOLVES.
1.-THE domain extends over vast plain, with
scarcely any woodland upon it. There are.
however, several reed beds scattered over the
surface, each Of them covering three or four
hundred acres Of ground and afording shelter
to wolves. The reed beds are mostly eight or
nine miles apart and between them stretches
sea Of grass, the going being as good as on our
plains. The turf is perfect, there being no
boggy or rough ground, and the hills are little
more than fluctuations. In the plan of a regu-
lar wolf hunt the head huntsman rides into one
of the reed beds accompanied by pack Of
English fox hounds. On the edges of the COW
ert mounted chasseurs are posted, each Of them
with two or three Russian wolf hounds in leash.
The old wolves break covert Immediately on
seeming or hearing the hounds or the cheer of
the huntsman, but the young wolves want lot
OF rafting before they take &c the open. When
one Of the chasseurs notes a big wolf stealing
away he slips his two or three hounds in pur
suit and with their long, muscular legs they
soon overtake their flying quarry. Their first
act is to seize him under the ear, one ON each
side, and to hold him fast until the chasseur
comes up. He iismounts, and, getting astride
OF the wolf. collars him by the ears, the hounds
still holding on. Then another chasseur slips
muzzle over the VOLTS jaw and he is tightly
strapped to a saddle and carried of to wagon
In waiting hard by.
These remarkable hounds would excite
quite as much interest the wolves, and
should say would be considered an interesting
acquisition to any collection Of animals. They
would come overland to st. Petersburg, from.
thence to this port and be forwarded by me to
New York and Washington. As the procure
ment of these animals would be attended with
more or less expense / should be pleased to
learn from you, in the first instance, what ex-
pense you would be at liberty TO incur, if any,"
PROF. LASGLEY's BEPLY.
Under date of the ed Of March Prot. Langley
replied to Mr.. Daniels as follows: II am very
greatly indebted to you for your kind letter of
the 18th instant in reference to the Russian
wolves and wolf hounds. They would be an
exceedingly valuable acquisition to the collec-
ton. and am very anxious to take advantage
Of your offer. am now making inquiries con-
corning the best means Of bringing these ami
mails from Hull to Waahinp ton and will write
you fully in few days. In the meantime
take this occasion of thanking you sincerely for
your interest in the park and for the steps you
have taken in its behalf"