132 THE COMMON FOX. 



of the tree was twenty-three feet; and from the 

 top there was a hole about three feet down, in 

 which the young ones were deposited. There was 

 no mode for the Fox to get to or from her off- 

 spring but by the outside boughs; and the tree 

 had no bend whatever to render the path an easy 

 one. The cubs were all brought up tame, to com- 

 memorate the incident. One of them is well re- 

 membered by several persons, at Wood's Hotel, 

 Covent-Garden> where it used frequently to run 

 tame, about the coffee-room*. 



That the females of this species have a very 

 ardent affection for their offspring, and that they 

 will defend them, when attacked, with the utmost 

 vigour, is well known to almost every one at all 

 acquainted with the habits of the animals. Two or 

 three instances have been recorded, of female 

 Foxes being hunted by Hounds, with a cub in their 

 mouths, with which they chose to burthen them- 

 selves, and thus additionally endanger their own 

 lives, rather than leave them behind to be worried 

 by the Dogs. 



Foxes continue to grow till they are about 

 eighteen months old ; and the duration of their 

 lives is from twelve to fourteen years. 



Their skin is clad with a soft and warm fur, 

 which, in many parts of Europe, is used for muffs, 



* -Daniel's Rural Sports, i. p. 169. 



and 



