216 On the Genus Vulj)es, 



AETICLE XXXY.— On the Foxes of British North America, 



Gexus Yulpes, (CuNier.) 



Dental Formula. — Incisive, ^ ; Canine, |— | ; Molar, -f-f. — 42. 



Generic Characters. — Muzzle pointed ; pnpil of the eyes forming a 

 vertical fissure ; upper incisors less curved than iu the genus 

 Caxis ; tail long, bushy and cylindrical. 



The arrangement of the teeth and the general osteological structure of 

 the Wolves, Foxes, Domestic Dogs, and Jackals, are the same, and shew them 

 all to be members of a single natural family, capable nevertheless of being 

 subdivided into several inferior groups or genera. The foxes are distinguished 

 by their lengthened muzzles, round heads, erect and triangular ears, long 

 body, short limbs, and long bushy tail. The pupil of the eye also becomes 

 elongated or linear iu the day time, although they ai-e nearly circular durmg 



the day. * 



Audubon & Bachman remark that the " animals of this genus generally 

 are smaller, and the number of species known greater, than among the wolves ; 

 they diffuse a foetid odour, dig, burrows, and attack none but the weaker 

 quadrupeds, or birds, &c. 



" The characters of this genus differ so slightly from those of the genus 

 Canis, that we are induced to pause before removing it from the subgenus 

 in which it had so long remained. As a general rule, we are obliged to 

 admit that a large fox is a wolf, and a small wolf may be termed a fox. So 

 inconveniently large, however, is the list of species in the old genus Canis, 

 that it is, we think advisable to separate into distinct groups such species aa 

 possess any characters different from the true wolves. 



" Foxes, althoudi occasionallv seen abroad during the dav. are nocturnal 

 in their habits, and their character is marked by timidity, suspicion and 

 cunning. Nearly the whole day is passed by the Fox in concealment, either 

 in his burrow under ground, in the fissures of the rocks, or in the middle of 

 some large hollow tree top, or thick pile of brush-wood, where he is well 

 hidden from any passing enemy. 



" During the obscurity of late twilight, or in the darkness of night, he 

 sallies forth in search of food ; the acuteuess of his organs of sight, of smell, 

 and of hearing, enabling him in the most murky atmosphere to trace and 

 follow the footsteps of small quadrupeds or birds, and pounce upon the hare 

 seated in her form, or the partridge, grouse, or turkey, in their nests. 



'• Various species of squirrels, field rats and moles, afford him a rich 

 repast. He often causes great devastation in the poultry yard ; seizes on 

 the goose whilst grazing along the banks of the stream, or carries off the 

 iamb from the side of its mother. 



'• The cautious and wary character of the Fox, renders it exceedingly 



* English Encyclopaedia of Natural History, vol. 4, page 1234. 



