126 U. Ss. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
of the body and tail are entirely wanting, leaving the soft wooly fur entirely exposed. The 
general colors are similar to those of the ordinary variety, except that the red tints are lighter, 
and there is no grizzling on the hinder back. The sides are of a yellowish white, and there is 
no black on the tail. Iam informed that in some sections of country this ‘‘Sampson fox’’ is 
not uncommon, particularly in northern Ohio, whence the specimen described was sent by Dr. 
Ackley. I have seen a similar condition of hair among skins of Canis griseus from Chile, and, 
in fact, in many other species. 
The common red fox of America was, for a considerable time, supposed to be the same with 
the red fox of Europe, (Vulpes vulgaris.) Careful comparisons of the two show, however, 
appreciable differences, although the resemblance is very close in external appearance and 
scarcely to be expressed except comparatively. A very decided difference is seen in the texture 
of the fur, which, in the American fox, is much longer, softer, and silkier, the long hairs of the 
European fox resembling, in fact, rather more nearly those of the gray fox. The tail, also, in 
the European fox is much less bushy, and tapers to the tip from near the base, instead of being 
of uniform diameter for more than half its length. The longest hairs of the tail scarcely exceed 
two inches in length, instead of three, as in the American red fox. 
The muzzle of the European fox is longer than in the American species, and the eyes 
considerably farther apart, a quarter of an inch at least. The concavity of the ear around the 
meatus is less provided with long hairs, the nearly naked portion extending to within half an 
inch (or less) of the margin. The feet are more slender, and the close pressed velvety hairs on 
the inner surfaces and between the toes are much shorter, and allowing thereby the claws and 
pads to be more distinctly visible. 
The red color of the European red fox (Vulpes vulgaris) is a good deal darker than in our 
species, and the tint uniform over a greater extent; there is little of the golden hue which gives 
so much beauty to the American animal. The space where the whiskers are inserted is white, 
instead of dusky, giving rise to a very conspicuous white patch on the side of the muzzle. There 
is a good deal more white on the throat and belly, and there is no trace of the narrow reddish 
collar on the former. The feet, instead of being of a deep and uniform black, are only tinged 
with this color, and there is almost none of it above the carpal and tarsal points. It is possible, 
however, that other specimens may show a greater amount of black. 
Wagner refuses to admit the distinction of species here referred to, and insists that the 
differences are owing to the latitude, his examination of the American fox being based on 
descriptions and skins from very northern localities. Specimens from the southern States, 
however, vary in a similar manner, as above described, from the European fox, and there is 
never any difficulty in separating skins of the two kinds by their external appearance when 
mixed with each other. The particular European skin serving for comparison in the present 
case is an old female (No. 774) killed in Scotland in February, 1855. 
In another article I describe as distinct the large fox with bushy tail, of the Rocky mountain 
region, although no very tangible characters can be given as distinctive. Among the numerous 
skins of foxes collected in Oregon by Dr. Suckley, I find what may be referred to both species 
as regards size, and both kinds may possibly occur. These specimens are, unfortunately, 
hunters’ skins only. All are more or less mutilated and without the skull. I cannot, therefore, 
speak positively as to the existence of the true Vulpes fulvus beyond the Rocky mountains, and 
must wait for further material. The small skins differ from the eastern in being of finer fur 
and having more white beneath, the centre of the belly and throat being entirely white. 
