HOW HE GETS RID OF FLEAS. 45 



up into a ball its formidable prickles protruding on 

 every side he would otherwise be unable to molest, he, with 

 his fore-feet, turns the victim on its back, and then inun- 

 dates its eyes and nose with urine ; the pungent nature of 

 this soon causes the poor creature to unroll, and it thus falls 

 an easy prey to its wily enemy. 



The body of the fox according to the same authority 

 is possessed of healing virtues. People who are afflicted with 

 the gout, are cured, we are told, by tying a piece of fox-skin 

 about their legs. The fat is beneficial to those who suffer 

 from rheumatism in the ears and limbs. The pigment is 

 good for the gripes, and all other complaints ; and if the 

 brains are frequently administered to an infant, it will after- 

 wards walk firm on its legs. 



Pontoppidan has also some marvellous stories about the 

 fox. " When he wants to get rid of fleas without trouble," 

 so the worthy Bishop tells us, " he takes a bunch of moss or 

 straw in his mouth, and goes backwards into the water, 

 wading by slow steps deeper and deeper, by which means 

 the fleas have time to retire gradually to the dry places, 

 and finally to the part of the neck and head which he 

 alone keeps above water ; and to crown the work, he 

 gathers all his enemies into the aforesaid bunch of straw, 

 and then drops them in the water, and runs away well 

 washed and cleaned. This project is so cunning, that man- 

 kind could not teach him better. 



" The long bushy tail, with which nature has not supplied 

 him in vain, he uses in Norway, amongst other purposes, 

 to catch crabs and crayfish. They are fond of anything hairy, 

 and generally will lay hold of it, by which means he draws 

 them ashore. 



