NATURAL HISTORY. xi 



5.— CANIS LAGOPUS (Arctic Fox). 



Canis Lagopus. — Cuv: Rtg. Auim. — vol. i., p. 153. 

 Rich: Faun. Bor. Amer. — p. 83. 

 Sabine, in Franklin's \st Journey — p. 658. 

 Rich : Appendix to Parrij's 2d Voi/. — p. 299. 



Inhabits the highest northern latitudes throughout the winter, and is provided with 

 the finest and thickest fur, to enable it to withstand the intense cold of those regions. 



The young generally migrate to the southward late in the autumn, and collect in 

 vast multitudes on the shores of Hudson Bay : they return early the following spring- 

 along the sea-coast to the northward, and seldom again leave the spot they select as a 

 breeding place. 



The summer fur of this beautiful animal is admirably described by Mr. Sabine, loc. 

 cil. ; and the winter dress by Dr. Richardson, ut supra, where an interesting detail of its 

 habits is given. 



In most of the individuals taken in February we observed that the long hairs on the 

 back and loins are tipped with black, to the extent which they project beyond the rest 

 of the far: this is particularly the case in the females. 



It brings forth from six to eight young early in June. In July, 1831, one of 

 their burrows was discovered on the sandy margin of a lake ; it had several 

 passages, each opening into a common cell, beyond which was an inner cell, 

 where the young, six in number, were taken. They were precisely of the same 

 colour as the old ones at that season of the year. Hearne says, that " the 

 young are all over of a sooty black ;" this probably refers to the following variety 

 of the Arctic Fox. In the outer cell, and in the several passages leading to it, we 

 found great numbers of the two species of Lemming, several Ermine, and the bones 

 of hares, fish, and ducks, in great quantities. Four of the young foxes were kept alive 

 till the end of the following winter, and were a great amusement to our crew by their 

 playfulness, as they soon became very tame. They never attained the pure white of 

 the old Fox, a dusky lead colour remaining about the face and sides of the body. 



There is a remarkable difference in the disposition of these animals, some bcinj' 

 easily tamed, whilst others remain savage and untractable, notwithstanding the kindest 

 treatment. The females are much more vicious than the males. A Dog Fox that 

 lived several months became so tame in a short time, that he regularly attended our 

 dinner-table like a dog, and was always allowed to go at large about the cabin. 



*B 2 



