64- ARCTIC FOX. 



actuating principle ; and it seeks for subsistence rather by 

 fraud and address, than by intrepidity and force. It digs 

 itself an asylum in the earth : and sallies out at the most 

 favourable opportunities, whether to plunder a hen-house, 

 or to seize unawares any unprotected bird or quadruped 

 that falls in its way ; nothing, in short, comes amiss to it. 

 When at a loss for other food, it will attack a nest of 

 wasps, or wild bees ; and, in spite of their stings, usually 

 succeeds in carrying off the combs. 



As the fox is inimical to all other animals, so the various 

 tribes of nature seem leagued against him. The dog hunts 

 him with peculiar acrimony ; and even birds seem to take 

 a pleasure in betraying his steps, in exposing him to the 

 hostility of the pack, or announcing his approach to the 

 object of his pursuit. 



Among the various tribes of wild quadrupeds, none is 

 more subject to the influence of climate than the fox ; and 

 the varieties are almost as numerous as in any of the do- 

 mestic animals. Zoologists have enumerated several dis- 

 tinct species, as well as varieties ; there seems, however, 

 to be a general conformity between them all ; equally 

 fond of petty robbery, and equally useless, their chace 

 affords pastime to the hunters, who only obtain carrion at 

 last. The skin, however, is valuable, and in some species 

 produces considerable sums. 



THE ARCTIC FOX, OR ISATIS. 



The fur of this species is softer than that of the common 

 fox, and the tail is shorter and more bushy. Some ol 

 these animals are blue, and others vary their colour ac- 

 cording to the season. The hair is uniformly longer in 

 winter than in summer, as is common with respect to all 

 animals that inhabit cold climates. 



The arctic fox abounds in Norway, Siberia, Lapland, 

 Greenland, and Spitzbergen ; and has mostly the habi- 

 tudes of the common kind. It preys on eggs, aquatic 

 fowls, and even fish ; but, when it gets scent of the lem- 

 ings making one of their migrations, then it deserts it/ 



