TJie Arctie Fox. 39 



and uneven parts of the country, preferring the path, 

 the most embarrassed by thorns and briars, and running 

 in a straight line before the hounds, at no great distance 

 from them; and, when overtaken, he turns on his 

 assailants, and fighting with obstinate despair, dies in 

 silence. 



THE ARCTIC FOX, (Canis lagopus,) 



Is a smaller species than the common Fox, and has a 

 much longer fur to fit him for the severe cold which he 

 necessarily experiences in the Polar regions which he 

 inhabits. The colour of the fur is frequently a bluish 

 leaden gray, from which circumstance it is sometimes 

 called the Blue Fox; some specimens are brownish, 

 others nearly black. The fur becomes pure white in the 

 whiter, and in this state the Arctic Fox is an exceedingly 

 pretty animal. This species is captured for the sake of 

 its skin, the bluish specimens being preferred. He is 

 usually taken in pitfalls or traps, of which he is not 

 nearly so suspicious as his sly English relative. The 

 flesh of the young is said to be very good. 



