126 U. 8. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



of the body and tail are eutirely 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. I am 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, (Fulpes 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. 



