FOXES. 425 



lined inside with cactus spines, which enter through the 

 fur and become arranged in layers; and so thick are they 

 frequently that a knife-blade cannot be inserted between 

 them. Some become soft and flexible from age, but others 

 are as stiff and hard as if they were in full vigor on the 

 plants. 



This species whelps in early summer, and brings forth 

 its young in a rocky crevice or a simple burrow, the family 

 being generally large. The males range from thirteen to 

 seventeen inches in length, and the tail and legs are equally 

 small, the latter being very w r eak. 



While the foxes of the West do not afford sport as their 

 European kindred do, yet they form no small part of the 

 wealth of the country, as their skins bring good prices, and 

 many thousands are sold annually by the trappers and 

 hunters. If their total value was placed at $1,000,000 per 

 year, it would not, I think, be overstating the matter. 



