UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 295 



presented with a highly interesting article on the subject of the Na- 

 tive Dogs of North America; from which it is evident that the origin 

 of the Indian Dog is still a desideratum hi natural history. 



"We are not yet prepared," says the Doctor, "to give an exact 

 genealogical history of the Indian Dog. We are compelled to mix 

 conjecture with fact. The anatomical structure of the animal should 

 be examined. But whatever may have been the origin of this breed 

 of dogs, I am disposed to think, with Josselyn, that the savages found 

 it in the woods, and that it has existed as a distinct species, or breed, 

 for a very long period of time. 



"It is highly probable, that the Indian Dog still exists, in a wild 

 state, in the woods of many parts of North America. It is likely that 

 when seen, he has been sometimes mistaken for the Wolf. A very 

 intelligent Indian informed me, that, in the year 1792, when travel- 

 ling toward the head-waters of the river Miami, which empties into 

 Lake Erie, he had met with Wolves which barked like Dogs, (hough, 

 in other respects, they appeared to be little different from Wolves. 

 Perhaps, future researches will show, that these were the real In- 

 dian Dogs, in their wild state. The subject is worthy of further in- 

 quiry." 



In the history of Lewis and Clark's expedition, we have an account 

 of two animals, which are termed Prairie Wolves, the barking of which, 

 (whether one, or both is not specified) "resembles precisely that of 

 the common Cur Dog." * 



Thus the story of the Indian is corroborated, and the conjecture of 

 Professor Barton receives additional strength, by the respectable tes- 

 timony of Lewis and Clark. 



The Arctic Fox is smaller than the common Fox ; its colour a 

 bluish gray, and sometimes white ; hair long, soft and silky ; legs 

 short; tail shorter than that of the common Fox, and more bushy. 



These animals are found only in the Arctic regions, a few degrees 

 within and without the polar circle. They are only migratory in Hud- 

 son's Bay, once in four or five years. They are the hardiest of ani- 

 mals, and even in Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla prowl out for prey 

 during the severity of the winter. They live on young wild geese, and 

 all kinds of water fowl ; on their eggs ; on hares and smaller ani- 

 mals. They are tame and inoffensive ; are killed for the sake of 

 their skins, both in Asia and Hudson's Bay. Their fur is light and warm, 

 but not durable. 



Gray, and Red Foxes are common throughout North America ; 

 but the former are more numerous, especially to the southward. Al- 

 though universally detested and persecuted by man, yet these animals 

 do not often commit depredations upon the farmer, and then only 

 when urged by necessity. Sometimes the hen-roost will be robbed, 

 or some vagrant turkey or chicken carried off. But in common, 

 these wary animals are not fond of approaching too near the habita- 

 tion of man, especially if there be a dog near the premises. 



Along the coast of New Jersey, Foxes abound, harbouring among 

 the green briars and myrtle bushes of the sea shore. They choose 

 these retreats that they may have the advantage of the salt marshes, 

 which are their principal hunting grounds. An immense number of 

 birds of various kinds, particularly of the Qrallae, order, breed in these 

 marshes, and on the sand hills, on the eggs and young of which the 



* Vol. ad. p. 429. 



