CARN1VORA. 71 



state of society and in what regions is he particularly valuable ? What 

 does Cuvier remark respecting the dog? What qualification does this 

 remark require ? What is said of their teeth, muzzle, tongue, eyes, feet, 

 claws, &c. ? How many varieties of domestic dogs does Martin make ? 

 Does their ferocity equal or surpass their strength ? How do they obtain 

 their prey? To what people are the Esquimaux dogs of great value? 

 What use is made of them? What works give interesting particulars 

 respecting them ? What is said of the Greyhound ? Why is the New- 

 foundland dog so named? What is said of his fidelity and affection? 

 What use is made of him ? In what does the Water Spaniel delight ? For 

 what is it useful ? For what is the Bloodhound noted ? How are Mastiffs 

 distinguished ? Of what use are Terriers ? In what does the Shepherd's 

 dog excel ? Relate the story of the Ettrick Shepherd and dog. What is 

 said of the dogs of St. Bernard? For what are they trained? What 

 anecdotes can you give showing the imitative power and memory of dogs ? 

 What is the size of the common fox ? Describe him. How long does he 

 live ? How many species did Audubon enumerate ? How many are found 

 in North America ? What fox furnishes the most valuable fur ? Where is 

 it found ? Name and characterize the other principal species. 



How do the dog and wolf compare with each other? What are the 

 traits of the wolf? What is said of it in English history? From what 

 places has it been extirpated? Where is it still abundant? How do wolves 

 hunt? When are they most dreaded ? Why at that time ? What occur- 

 red near the Jural mountains? Are there many varieties of the common 

 Wolf? Describe it. What is said of the Red Texan Wolf, and its prefer- 

 ences? What does Audubon say of the changes of color in quadrupeds ? 



Where is the Jackal found ? What is it supposed to be ? What is it 

 called ? Why ? Of what is it particularly fond ? What is said of Jack- 

 als' hunts ? Are they of any use ? What is their size ? Why called aureus ? 

 Are they easily tamed? What is said of the Adive? What of the 

 Aard, or Earth Wolf? What does it connect? Describe its habitat, size, 

 color, fur, &c. &c. 



SECTION XIII. 



3. DIVISION OF THE DlGITIGRADES. 



MITSTELIDAE, (Lat. Mustela, a weasel.) The WEASEL TRIBE. 

 The weasels are readily distinguished by their long snake-like 

 bodies, short muzzle, sharp teeth and predatory habits. Their 

 relish for blood is strong. In pursuing their prey, they are bold, 

 cautious and resolute, creeping toward their unsuspecting victim, 

 usually a rabbit, rat or bird, and on a sudden, darting at it, and 

 piercing its neck with its sharp teeth. Fixing themselves where 

 some large vein invites them, they hang on until their prey ex- 

 pires, devouring its brain, and sucking its blood; but almost 

 always leaving the flesh untouched. Their head is small, oval 

 and flattened, and their bodies so pliable as to be capable of being 

 insinuated into holes and crevices which it would seem they 



