Year: 1875

for any length of time, is surely a ques.


ton which students of natural history
and even practical sportsmen might set
tie for us once for all, while the docu-
mentary evidence in favor of the exist
ence of such wolf-chiIdren might exer-
else the ingenuity of some of our clever
est lawyers. When they have done their
work, and not till then, the work of the
comparative mythologist will begin. l
therefore proceed to put together some OF
the best authenticated cases of wolf-chil-
dren, without, however, presuming my
self to advance an opinion, either adverse
or favorable. The following extract is
from u letter received from the Rev. Mr..
Erhardt, Superintendent of the Orphan
age at Secundra, in reply to his request
tor information concerning boy in that
institution who was alleged to have been
| found living with wolves


" We have had two such boys here,
but fancy you refer to one who was b7o't
to us on March 3D., 1872. He was found
by Hindus, who had gone hunting
wolves in the neighborhood of Myupuri.
Had been burnt out of the den, and was
brought here with the scars and wounds
still on him. In his habits he is a perfect
wild animal in every point of view. He
drank like dog, and liked bone and
raw meat better than anything else. He
would never remain with the other boys,
but hide away in any dark corner
Clothes he never would wear, but tore
them up into fine shreds. He was only
lew months among us, as he got fever
and gave up eating. We kept him for a
time by artificial means, but eventually
he died. The other boy found among
wolves is about thirteen or fourteen years
old and has been here almost six. He
has learned to make sounds, speak he
cannot but he freely expresses his an
ger and JOY ; work he will, at times,
little, but he likes eating better. His
civilization has progressed so far that he
likes raw meat less, though he will still
pick up bones and sharpen his teeth on
them. AT the Lucknow mad house there
was an elderly fellow only four years
ago, and may be alive now, who had
been dug out Of a wolves den by Eu-
ropean doctor - when, l forget, but it
must be a good number Of years ago.
The facility with which they get along on
four ieet-hands and feet is suiprising.-
Before they cat or taste food they smell
it, and when they don't like the smell
they throw it away.


A remarkable feature in all the stories
is that the wolves are invariably alleged
to have communicated much of their
natural ferocity and untamable disposi-
ton to their foster children, and attempts
to account for their somewhat unwolf-
like treatmeet of them. Stories of the
same kind, and supported by much more
business-like witnesses, have appeared in
Indian papers during the last fifty years.
The most important witness is the late
Col. Sleeman, man Of unimpeachable
character, one Of those truly great men
whose names are less known than their
works. lie was commissioner for put
ting down Thugism, and probably knew
more Of the real life and character Of the
people Of India than any Indian officer
According to Colonel Sleeman the num-
Der Of the little victims carried off by the
wolves to be deyoured is so great in some
parts Of India, that people make living
by collecting from the dens OF wild ami
mails the gold ornaments with which chill
dren in India are always deeked out by
their parents. 1t is said even these peo-
pie are unwilling to take part in any
wholesale destruction Of wolves for fear
OF losing their livelihood. From a num-
Der of cases, more or less fully attested,
OF wolves taking compassion on children
and bringing them up, together with
their own cubs, | select the following:
A trooper sent out by the native Gov
ernor Of Chandour to demand payment
Of some revenue, was passing along the
bank of the river about noon, when he
saw large female wolf leave her den,
followed by three whelps and little boy.
The boy went on all fours, and, when the
trooper tried TO catch him be ran as fast
MS the whelps, and kept up with the old
one. They all entered the den, but were
dug out by the people with pickaxes, and
the boy secured. lie struggled hard to
rush into every hole or den they came
near He became alarmed when he saw
grown-up person, but tried to fly at
children and bite them. He rejected
cooked meat with disgust, but delighted
in raw flesh and bones, putting them on
the ground under his paws, like dog
They tried to make him speak, but could
get nothing from him but an angry
growl, or snsrl.


So far the evidence rests on native wit
nesses and might be considered as more
or less doubtful. But the boy, after hav-
ing spent short time with the Rajsh OF
Hasunpoor, was afterwards forwarded to
Capt. Nicholetts. the European officer
commanding the First Regimen: Of Dude
Local Infantry at Sultsnpoor. Captain
Nichoetts made him over to the charge
Of his servants, and their accounts com
pletely confirm what was stated before
The wolf-child would devonr anything,
but preferred raw meat. He once ate
half a lamb without any effort. He new
er kept on any kind of clothing, and a
quilt stuffed with cotton, given to him in
the cold weather, was torn and partly
swallowed. In letter dated the 10Th of
Ganfapnhar IQSn Cart N;oLolot4. T.: