THE FOXES. 233 



But although the last group of true dogs 

 having short truncated mouths approximates Ly- 

 caon, Baron Cuvier judiciously placed the foxes 

 between them, because the latter, notwithstanding 

 that they constitute the nocturnal section of canine 

 animals, are, in other respects, more nearly allied 

 to true dogs than 'the former, which assume the as- 

 pect of hyasnas. 



The foxes may in general be distinguished from 

 diurnal Canidce by a lower stature in proportion to 

 their length, by an invariably sharp anterior head, 

 an apparent shorter neck, slender limbs, and a tail 

 reaching to the ground, or even longer, always well 

 furnished with long hairs in the form of a cylindri- 

 cal brush : they are further distinguished by a finer, 

 denser, and more glossy fur, and a gland at the base 

 of the tail emitting more or less odour ; by a pro- 

 pensity to burrow ; a nocturnal life ; and, above all, 

 by the pupils of the eyes, when turned towards a 

 strong light, contracting vertically like the section 

 of a lens, and not circularly as in diurnal dogs. No 

 true foxes are found to the south of the equator. 



In manners they are unsociable, not capable of 

 true domesticity; shy, cautious, exceedingly cun- 

 ning and patient, cleanly, retired, and apt to sacri- 

 fice their own limbs when caught by one in a trap : 

 their senses are acute, those of smell and hearing 

 in particular ; their members are exceedingly pliant, 

 the tail flexible, so that they can roll it round the 

 nose. While young they are full of vivacity and 

 playfulness; their resources of instinct to escape 



