420 MVRTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



en fences, which arc even more dangerous than the stone 

 walls of Gahvay and Roscommon. 



Although there are several varieties of foxes in the coun- 

 try, there are really only two distinct species ; and these are 

 the common red fox (V. vulgaris), and the gray or Vir- 

 ginia fox (the Urocyon cinereo-argentatus of Cones). The 

 former is larger than the European species ; it has a short- 

 er and more pointed nose; the ears are shorter; the legs 

 are not so robust; the eyes are nearer together; the feet 

 and toes are more densely furred ; the brush is larger ; and 

 the fur is softer, finer, and of a brighter hue. It is equally 

 as swift and cunning, and bears out in the most marked 

 manner the traditional character of its family. 



One of the principal varieties of this species is the long- 

 tailed or prairie fox (V. macrourns), which has a beautiful 

 fur and brush, the latter being very hairy ; and the pads of 

 the feet are concealed by hairs. This animal has a length 

 of from thirty-three to thirty-five inches, while its brush 

 often exceeds twenty-two inches. The next is the cross 

 fox, variety Decussatus, which is readily recognized by its 

 having a dark band along the back, which is crossed by 

 another on the shoulder. This has a heavy, long, and 

 bushy tail, which gives it a very pleasing aspect. Its skin 

 is valued at five dollars in the market. The black fox and 

 the silver fox are highly prized for their fur, the peltries 

 being worth from twenty-five to fifty dollars. 



The Kitt, or swift fox (V. velox), which is not found 

 west of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges, is smaller 

 than the red or gray ; its limbs are short and robust, and 

 its inner fur is full and close. Its pads are covered with 

 hair to such an extent that they are concealed from view. 

 Its head is shorter and broader than its specific red con- 

 gener, and its ears are also smaller. It has a length of two 

 feet or more, and its tail is from nine to eleven inches long. 

 It does not, it seems to me, deserve the name it bears for 

 speed; for it cannot, so far as I can judge, excel its larger 

 kindred in pace and endm*ance, and a good fox-hound can 

 run it down, with a fair start, as easily as it can its Euro- 



