THE FOX. 333, 
which are placed near the root of the tail, and furnish the odorous secretion. Glands 
of a similar nature, but not so well developed, are found in the wolves. The tenacity 
with which this scent clings to any object which it has touched is quite extraordinary. I 
remember an instance when a Fox was captured by an old labourer, in revenge for killing 
his fowls, and which he exhibited in an outhouse for a short time. The animal could not 
have been in the shed for more than twenty minutes, and yet the odour which it evolved 
was so pertinaciously adherent to everything which had been touched by the animal that 
the shed was not free from the tell-tale scent for many weeks. 
At night, while walking over the Wiltshire Downs, and the various roads that 
intersect them, I have frequently been aware that a Fox had crossed the path, and could 
have followed up the scent for some distance. 
It is by this scent that the hounds are able to follow the footsteps of a flying Fox, and 
to run it down by their superior speed and endurance. The Fox, indeed, seems to he 
aware that its pursuers are euided in their chase by this odour, and puts in practice every 
expedient that its fertile brain can produce in order to break the continuity of the scent, 
FOX.—Vulpes vulgaris. 
or to overpower it by the presence of other odowrs, which are more powerful, though not 
more agreeable. A hunted Fox will make the most extraordinary leaps in order to break 
the line of scent, and throw the hounds on a false track. It will run for a considerable 
distance ina straight line, return upon its own track, and then make a powerful spring to one 
side, so as to induce the dogs to run forward while it quietly steals away. It will take 
every opportunity of perfuming or rather of scenting, itself with any odorous substance 
with which it can meet, in the hope of making the hounds believe that they have 
mistaken their quarry. In fine, there are a thousand wiles which this crafty animal 
employs and which are related by every one who has watched a Fox or hunted it. 
Even when tamed it preserves its singular cunning. A tame Fox, that was kept in a 
stable-yard, had managed to strike up a friendship with several of the dogs, and would 
play w ith them, but could never induce the cats to approach him. Cats are very sensitive 
in their nostrils, and could not endure the vulpine odour. They would not even walk 
upon any spot where the Fox had been standing; and kept as far aloof as possible 
from him. 
The crafty animal soon perceived that the cats would not come near him, and made 
use of his knowledge to cheat them of their breakfast. As soon as the servant poured 
out the cats’ allowance of milk, the Fox would run to the spot and walk about the saucer, 
well knowing that none of the rightful owners would approach the defiled locality. Day 
after day the cats lost their milk until the vulpine stratagem was discovered, and the milk 
