100 CAKNIVORA. 



STEPPE, OR AFGHAN FOX. 



Vulpes leucopus. 



This animal, sometimes called the Hill or Stone Fox, 

 inhabits the high central Table Lands of Asia, Cashmere, 

 etc. The usual type is of a very light brown colour, 

 with black belly, ears, and legs ; many, however, are of 

 a darker shade on the back and rump, approaching the 

 colour of a Cross Fox. 



The Steppe Fox is of medium or small size. The fur 

 is soft and long, and the tail is tipped with white. 

 Several thousand skins are imported through Arabia, 

 and some hundred thousands through Nishin to Leipsic. 

 The value is about Is. 6d. to 3s. 



This Fox, or a very similar sub-species, is probably the 

 animal referred to in Cant. ii. v. 15 : " The little Foxes 

 which spoil the vines." 



Here we find the food of the Fox to be of a vegetable 

 character, which fact is also exemplified by the well- 

 known fable of iEsop of the Fox and the Grapes. 



PEESIAN FOX. 



Vulpes pcrsica. 



The Persian Fox is a variety of the above animal. A 

 similar variety is found in Arabia. Both these types are 

 rather lighter in colour than the Afghan Fox. The 

 smell of the skin is very peculiar, and the value is 

 about Is. 9d. 



