58 QJJ A D R U P E D S. 



The Mexican wolf has a very large head^ great jaws and teeth, and is 

 a voracious aninnal. 



Wolf '& flefli is very indifferent, and feems to be difliked by all other 

 animals, no creature being known to eat it, except a wolf. He breathes 

 a mod foetid vapour from his jaws, as his food is indifcriminate, often 

 putrid, and feldom cleanly. In fhort, every way offenfive, by a favage 

 afpefl, a frightful howl, an infupporrable odour, a pervcrfe difpofition, 

 and fierce habits, he is hateful v/hile living, and ufelefs when dead. 



THE FOX. 



THE Fox is Oenderer than the wolf, and not near fo large ; about 

 two feet three inches high. The tail of the fox is longer in pro- 

 portion, and more bufhy ; its nofe fmaller, and hair fofter j its eyes 

 hazel, obliquely fituated like thofe of the wolf, and its ears are directed 

 in the fame manner; its head is equally large in proportion to its fize. 

 It has a flrong offenfive fmell peculiar to the fpecies, and often the 

 caufe of their death. 



The fox has ever been famous for cunning and art, not without 

 meriting his reputation. Not attempting to oppofe the dogs or the fhep- 

 herds, neither attacking the flock, or alarming the village, he gains 

 by his addrefs what is denied to his flrength or courage. Patient and 

 prudent he waits opportunity, and varies his conduct. His fludy is 

 lelf-prefervation J nearly as indefatigable, actually fwifter than the wolf, 

 he does not truft to thefe qualities, but retires, in cafe of neceffity, to 

 an afylum, where he avoids danger, and brings up his young. 



A home fuppofes afuperior degree of inftin6t; the choice of fituation, 

 the art of making it convenient, of fecuring and concealing it, are 

 marks of fuperior {kill. The fox generally keeps his kennel, which is 

 often a badger's hole, at the edge of a wood, within an eafy journey of 

 fome neighbouring cottage. Thence he liftens to the crowing cock and 

 the cackling fowls. He fcents them, feizes his opportunity, conceals 

 his approaches, creeps flyly along, and feldoms returns without his 

 booty. In a yard he levels all the poultry, carries off part of the fpoil, 

 hides it at fome convenient diftance, and again returns to the charge. 

 ^He hides others alfo, but not in the fame places and this for feveral 

 z ' ■ times 



