2 ARKIV FÖR ZOOLOGI. BAND 10. N:0 21. 



posed then that nothing more could be done for a more 

 thorough investigation of the case. A short time ago, how- 

 ever the skin of this peculiar fox was kindly presented to 

 the R. Nat. Hist. Museum by Forest-inspector J. H. Blom- 

 bergsson, and it became then apparent that the remains of 

 the toes adherent to the shin were sufficient to throw some 

 light on the matter. Mr. Blombergsson has reported that 

 this interesting Fox was shot by him on Biskops- Arno in 

 the parish of Öfvergran in Upland the 15th of Oct. 1913. 

 At the same opportunity still another Fox was shot, but it 

 was normal without »spurs» on the hind feet. Låter on the 

 same autumn two more foxes were shot on the same island, 

 but all of them were normal. In all four young foxes and 

 the old female were observed. The old male parent was not 



Fig. 1. Right hind foot of a fox seen from the inner side and showing 

 a well developed first toe. (Drawu from the skin.) 



seen, however, and it is uncertain whether he remained on 

 the island, or not. 



The accompanying sketch which has been reproduced 

 from the skin (fig. 1) shows the inner side of the right hind 

 foot. The claw of the inner, or first toe is to be seen, and 

 it proves to be well developed. It has the same general 

 shape as the other claws, although it is somewhat smaller. 

 It gives, however, the impression of being worn, and it is 

 evident already from its appearance that it really represents 

 the true first toe and that it is not a teratological product, 

 a supernumerary toe, or »prsehallux». It differs also very 

 distinctly in appearance from the »spurs» which are present 

 in certain races of domestic dögs. It is placed about 6 cm. 

 above the second claw, apparently because its phalanges and 

 especially its metatarsal have been shorter than those of the 

 latter. On the left hind foot only the claw itself and its 

 phalanx has been left adherent to the skin after the skin- 



