THE ARCTIC FOX. 



The beautifully mounted group of animals seen in 

 our illustration represents certain species of mutable 

 coloration in their winter dress. A white hare reclines 

 at ease accompanied by a couple of ptarmigan: 

 sheltered under a rock, two more ptarmigan are 

 squatted, apparently regardless of the lissom stoat 

 working its silent course through the snow in close 

 proximity. Above them all an Arctic fox stands on 

 an artificial rock adrip with icicles ; his sharp muzzle 

 and bushy tail recall the toy Pomeranian dogs so 

 often kept as house pets. The whole group is 

 exceedingly interesting, and well worth an actual 

 inspection as a true work of art. 



The Arctic fox (Cants lagopus) terienniak and 

 kaka of the Greenlanders is structurally remarkable 

 for its short muzzle and its rounded ears, for the ruff 

 of hair on the cheek, and for the woolly sole with 

 which its feet are effectually shod, like a worsted 

 stocking on an old lady's foot in frosty weather. 

 This fox is also unique amongst its congeners in 

 exhibiting a seasonal change of coat. Moderately 

 long in summer, the fur is then brown or dull 

 rufous on the head, back and tail, becoming yellowish 

 white below ; the legs are brown, and the underfur 

 is bluish grey. White and also grey hairs are 

 sprinkled in the pelage, which is sometimes entirely 



