130 U. Ss. P, R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—-ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
pointed out in the article on the last mentioned species. I will only state that the muzzle of 
the latter is considerably longer and more slender, exceeding in this respect any species with 
which I am acquainted. s . 
Tt is not a little remarkable that there have as yet been no remains of the red fox detected 
among the fossils derived from the Carlisle and other bone caves. The gray fox is abundantly 
represented, but not a trace of the other. This would almost give color to the impression some- 
what prevalent that the red fox of Eastern America is the descendant of individuals of the 
European red fox imported many years ago, and allowed to run wild and overspread the country. 
The fact of their present abundance and extent of distribution is no barrier to the reception of 
this idea, as the same has been the case with horses brought over by the Spaniards, after the 
discovery of America, and set at liberty. Asis well known, the immense herds of these animals 
in Mexico, Texas, and the western plains, are the lineal descendants of the imported horse. 
Nor is there any serious difficulty to be met with in tbe different characteristics of the Ameri- 
can animal as the finer fur, brighter color, narrower and more delicate head, sharper muzzle, 
&c., as it is in precisely such osteological peculiarities that the Anglo-American race differs 
from its English stock. 
VULPES MACROURUS, Baird. 
Prairie Fox. 
Vulpes macrourus, Bairp, in Stansbury’s Exploration Great Salt Lake, (published June, 1852,) 309. 
Vulpes utah, Aup. & Bacu., Pr. A. N. Se. Ph. V, for June 30, 1852, (published July, 1852,) 114.—Is. N. Am. 
Quad. IIT, 1853, 255; pl. cli. 
? Vulpes fulvus, Maxim. Reise, II, 1841, 98. 
Sp. Cu.—In size, length of fur and tail, exceeding the Vulpes fulvus. Tail vertebre, usually 18 inches in length; breadth 
between lateral hairs eight to nine inches. Colors of the light variety, similar to those of the red fox, but yellower, and with 
more white beneath. 
This magnificent fox, the finest species known, is an inhabitant of the central portions of 
North America, and is eminently remarkable for the beauty and excellence of its fur. Very 
similar, in general appearance, to the common red fox; its superiority in size will at once 
readily distinguish it. It appears to run into the same varieties as our red fox, and that of 
Europe, although I have never seen a black skin. Several fine cross foxes, however, of this 
species have been received among the various government collections. 
Owing to the close resemblance to the common red fox, it is difficult to describe the prairie 
fox intelligibly, except by comparison with the other species. As already stated, it is consider- 
ably larger, the tail particularly so. The ears are very large, and quite acutely pointed, in 
both respects exceeding the red fox. Their concavity seems less beset with hair, although the 
bristly hairs anterior to the meatus are very long. The eyes are only about an inch and a 
quarter apart, nearer, in fact, than in the red fox. The feet are large and stout, and in the © 
only perfect specimen before me, a cross fox, (No, 24,) their soles are covered with a long dense 
wool, completely concealing the pads, which are reduced to quite small dimensions, but not over- 
grown with hair. This development of wool on the feet is, however, seen in the cross fox 
belonging to the common species. 
