VuLPEs. MAMMALIA. FERA. 13 



t. Chinensis. Pug Head globular ; under jaw longest and turned up- 

 wards. 



These three last varieties are chiefly kept by ladies, and are consequent- 

 ly pampered and caressed. 



Gen. IX. VULPES. Fox.— Pupil linear, nocturnal. Tail 

 bushy. 



14. V. vulgaris. Fur brown, and uniform. 

 S, Tod ; W, Llewynog ; G, Sionnach ; Balgaire. 



The history of the fox is very similar to that of the dog. It feeds on lambs, 

 poultry and carrion, and will hide the booty it is unable to consume. It lives 

 in furze, brakes or young wood, and when pursued, enters a hole in the earth. 

 In the absence of nobler game, it now ranks as the first beast of the chase. 

 Brings forth its young under ground. 



There are three varieties of this native depredator recognised by sports- 

 men. 



a. Greylwund-Fox. — This is the Milgi of the AVelsh. Its tail is long and 

 bushy, with a white tip ; it is the largest and boldest ; and preys upon sheep 

 or Iambs. 



b. Mastif-Fox This is of a dark brown colour, somewhat less, but more 



strongly made. — Feeds on poultry. 



c. Cur-Fox This is the Corgi of Wales, and is probably the Canis alopex 



of Schreber. It is the least, of a reddish-brown colour, with the tip of the 

 tail black. 



MUSTELAD^. 



One bruising' grinder in the upper Jaw. Body about the thick- 

 ness of the head, long ; legs short, with Jive Jingers on each 

 foot. No ccecum. 



Gen. X. MUSTELA. Weasel. — Two tearing grinders in 

 the upper, and three in the lower jaw. Ears middle-sized ; 

 tongue rough ; fur near the mouth white ; pupil horizon- 

 tal ; all the species emit a fetid odour when irritated. 



15. M. vulgaris. Weasel. — Fur above, yellowish-brown; 

 beneath yellowish-white, with the tail uniform. 



Sib. Scot. p. 11 — Ray, Quad. p. 195 Pen. Brit. Zool. 1. p. 95. ; F, Fou- 

 mart or Fitchet ; S, AVhitred ; IV, Bronwen ; G, Neas Common 



in old walls. 



Tlie length of the body is about 7 inches ; the tail 2 4 inches, and not bushy. 

 It devours mice and young birds. Brings forth five young. — It sometimes 

 changes to white in winter, and in this state appears to be the M. nivalis of 

 Linnreus ; Syst. Nat. 1. 69. It is said that weasels were introduced into Zet- 

 land by the King's falconer, in revenge, as some of the inhabitants had re- 

 fused him rabbits for his hawks ; Sibbald's Zetland, p. 22. 



16. M. Erminea. Ermine. — Fur above yellowish-brown; 

 beneath yellowish-white, with a bushy tail, black at the end. 



