MAMMALIA— FOX. 15] 



The fox is so voracious, that, when deficient of better food, he devours 

 rats, mice, lizards, toads, and serpents. Insects and shell-fish he is like- 

 wise sometimes known to eat. In vain does uie hedgehog roll itself up 

 into a ball to oppose him : this determined glutton teases it till it is obliged 

 to appear uncovered, and then devours it. The wasp aud the Avild bee are 

 attacked by him with equal success. Though at first they fly out upon 

 their invader, and actually oblige him to retire, yet this repulse is but for a 

 few minutes, till he has rolled himself upon the ground, and thus crushed 

 bach as may have stc.dk to his skin : he then returns to the charge, and at 

 length, by dint of perseverance, obliges them to abandon their combs, which 

 he greedily devours, both wax and honey. 



The young foxes are born blind, like dogs ; like them, too, they are 

 eighteen months or two years in coming to perfection, and live about 

 thirteen or fourteen years. They are nursed with great affection by the 

 mother, who has been known to run with them in her mouth several miles 

 when hunted. The senses of the fox are as good as those of the wolf; his 

 scent is more acute, and the organ of his voice is more supple and more 

 perfect. The wolf is never heard but by dreadful howls, while the fox only 

 yelps, barks, and sends forth a mournful sound, resembling the cry of the 

 peacock. His tones, too, are different, according to the different sentiments 

 with which he is affected. He has one sound expressive of desire, another 

 of murmur, another of sorrow, and another of pain : the latter is never 

 heard from him, unless in the instant that he is wounded by shot, and has 

 lost the use of some member ; for, like the wolf, when attacked with cudgels 

 alone, he never murmurs, but will defend himself with obstinacy, and fight 

 in silence to the last gasp. He bites dangerously, and with such deter- 

 mined fury, that, in order to make him relinquish his hold, ponderous 

 wooden and even iron bars are necessary to be forced between his jaws. 



The flesh of the fox is not so bad as the flesh of the wolf. Dogs, and 

 even men, eat it in autumn, especially if the animal has fed on grapes ; 

 and, in winter, good furs are made of his skin. He sleeps so sound, that, 

 however closely approached, there is no great danger of awaking him. 

 When he only means to rest himself, he stretches out his hind legs, and 

 remains flat on his belly. In this posture he watches for the birds as they 

 perch on the hedges; who no sooner perceive him, than they give each other 

 warning of their approaching danger. The jackdaw and the magpie, in 

 particular, often follow him along to the distance of some hundred paces, 

 still towering beyond his reach, and, with their cries and notes of hostility, 

 apprise other animals to beware. 



Of all wild animals, the fox is most subjected to the influence of climate, 

 and there are found nearly as many varieties in this species, as in that of 

 any domestic animal. The generality of foxes in Europe are red ; of some, 

 however, the hair is of a grayish cast ; and, of all, the tip of the tail is white. 

 In the northern countries foxes of all colors are found. 



